One person was killed and at least 14 others were injured after gunfire erupted at a large gathering at a park on Chicago's South Side while police were attempting to disperse the crowd, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at around 11:37 p.m. local time on Aug. 29 at Washington Park, according to the Chicago Police Department. ABC7 Chicago and NBC 5 Chicago reported that several gatherings, including a reunion celebration with former residents of the demolished Robert Taylor Homes public housing complex, were being held at the park at the time of the shooting.
Officers were already at the park attempting to break up the crowd when shots rang out and struck multiple people. A 35-year-old man died after sustaining gunshot wounds to the body
and being transported to the University of Chicago Hospital, police said.
At least 14 others, ranging in age from 21 to 47, were injured by gunfire. One woman remained in serious condition, while several other victims were listed in fair or good condition, according to police.
The conditions of three victims remained unknown, police said. They include a 37-year-old woman, a 23-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, all of whom suffered gunshot wounds to the body.
Authorities did not immediately release information about a suspect or suspects, and no arrests were announced as of Aug. 30. Police said no officers were injured in the shooting, and the incident remains under investigation.
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that could help identify the suspect or suspects.
Chicago mayor: 'The devastating impact of gun violence'
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the shooting underscored the lasting impact of gun violence on victims, families and communities.
“Through last night's shootings, we are reminded of the devastating impact of gun violence. In a matter of moments, a life can be taken, families can be forever changed, and communities can be left grieving,” Johnson said in a statement on X.
The mayor said his administration would continue efforts to curb gun violence and support those affected by shootings.
"We remain steadfast in our work to break these cycles of trauma by continuing to stop the flow of guns into our communities and investing in the resources that help prevent violence before it occurs,” Johnson added. “My administration will continue to show up for those impacted by these violent acts by providing access to victim services and mental health support."
Latest mass shooting in United States
The Chicago shooting is the latest incident of gun violence across the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there has been at least 320 mass shootings so far this year — which is defined by the organization as four victims shot, either injured or killed, not including the shooter.
A mass shooting also occurred overnight in Trenton, New Jersey, leaving two people dead and nine others wounded, according to Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. Police responded at about 12:25 a.m. local time on Aug. 30 to reports of multiple shots fired in the East Trenton neighborhood, where authorities said 11 people were struck by gunfire.
The mayor said the shooting occurred during an unauthorized gathering of hundreds of people on a residential street. He noted that the city will implement additional measures to prevent such gatherings from becoming "dangerous or unmanageable."
Gusciora described the shooting as a "devastating act of gun violence" and extended condolences to the families of those killed, the victims who were injured and residents affected by the violence.
"Trenton is a resilient city," Gusciora said in a statement. "But resilience cannot mean simply enduring tragedy after tragedy. It must mean learning from what happened, changing what we can change, and doing everything within our power to prevent the next one."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: One dead, 14 injured in Chicago mass shooting at park gathering
