Three girls sitting in a car with their mother were shot by a man who police say was firing at rival gang members, in a violent start to the July 4 holiday week that is typically among the bloodiest stretch of days on Chicago's calendar.
None of the girls - ages 5, 14, and 15 - was killed in the shooting Sunday, but police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the 14-year-old was shot in the abdomen and listed in critical condition.
The 15-year-old was shot in the thigh and the 5-year-old was shot in the arm. Police said their injuries were not considered life threatening. Three others - two adults and one teenager - were also shot. The woman was in serious condition and the other two were listed in good condition.
The fact the gunman - with a bandanna covering much of his face - simply leaned out the car window and opened fire indiscriminately in a crowded area on the city's West Side, illustrates the willingness of gangs to wage war regardless of who is around. It also explains why the police department has, according to Guglielmi, assigned an additional 1,700 police officers to street duty during the coming long holiday weekend.
Last year, when July 4 fell on a Tuesday, more than 100 people were shot between the previous Friday night and early July 5. This year, the holiday falls on a Wednesday, giving police two weekends in which they must contend with an increased possibility of gunfire.
Last night's shooting also underscores that gang violence can erupt without notice, despite a concerted police effort to suppress it.
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