(WTTW News)
A Senn High School student was killed and two more were injured near the school Wednesday afternoon — less than a week after two students were killed outside a charter school in the Loop.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed the shooting occurred just after 3:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of West Thorndale Avenue, just blocks away from Senn’s campus.
“The city of Chicago continues to grieve and our hearts are heavy as these tragic shootings happen too often,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said during a press conference Wednesday evening. “We hold our hearts and our grief close. The loss of life is horrific under all circumstances, but it is especially harsh when our young people are targeted.”
The students, who were all 15 or 16 years old, were walking in that area when a vehicle pulled up, individuals got out and fired shots, striking all three, according to Snelling.
Police said the boy who died was 16 years old. He suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. A second 16-year-old was shot in his jaw, chest and left forearm and was listed in grave condition.
The third victim, a 15-year-old boy, was hospitalized in good condition.
Snelling said police believe the three individuals were targeted. He said the CPD will have a police presence around all schools during arrival and dismissal, and pledged to “push back against this type of violence.”
“We have to hold them accountable,” he said. “If we’re not holding them accountable, especially with this level of brazenness, they will continue to do it.”
The shooting comes days after Robert Boston, 16, and Monterio Williams, 17, were fatally shot near Innovations High School last Friday afternoon. Police officials have said those boys were “targeted” as they exited the charter school building, but no arrests have yet been made.
According to Snelling, there is no evidence these two shootings were connected.
“Whatever conflict, whatever pain you are expressing, this is not the way to do it,” Johnson said. “The loss of life is tearing at the fabric of this city.”
