Police searching for suspect after 3 teens shot in Hyde Park
Chicago police released photos of a suspect wanted in a shooting that left three teens injured in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood on Monday night.
The shots were fired amid a large gathering of young people centered at 57th Street Beach as Memorial Day weekend was wrapping up. The shooting happened in the 5500 block of South Cornell Avenue, a couple of blocks away from the beach.
Police said three young men were wounded in the shooting — two an 18-year-old and two 19-year-olds. The 18-year-old was shot in the right hand, one of the 19-year-olds in the leg, and the other in the right hip.
Two of the victims were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, and the third self-transported to the same hospital. All were good condition, police said.
Crime scene tape and evidence markers for shell casings were seen on the pavement on Cornell Avenue heading south from 55th Street, near Morry's Deli and other businesses.
Police are now searching for a male suspect between the ages of 16 to 19, last seen wearing a black sweater with white writing on the sleeves, a ski mask, and a dark backpack.
Area one detectives are asking anyone with information to contact Chicago police.
During the teen gathering nearby, video showed a heavy police presence near the beach as officers worked to break up fist fights and clear the area. Hundreds of people seen in the area, some climbing on top of cars, and others throwing objects as officers moved in.
Dispatch audio indicated that police received a call for 100 teens dancing on cars at 56th Street and Everett Avenue, a couple of blocks away from the beach and only about a block and a half from the shooting scene.
A few days prior, the University of Chicago Police Department warned that a possible large teen gathering was planned for the beach for Monday night, and said additional officers would be deployed. The 57th Street Beach is within walking distance of the University of Chicago campus, and just opposite DuSable Lake Shore Drive from the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
Over the years, city leaders and residents have raised concerns about large, unsupervised gatherings leading to violence and other disturbances during warmer months. Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling was one of the most recent city leaders to do so, just last week.
In late March, another teen takeover in Hyde Park turned destructive, badly damaging cars. A teen girl was also arrested and is facing weapons charges.
It was not certain Tuesday morning whether the shooting had anything directly to do with the teen gathering. CBS News Chicago was waiting to hear back from alderman and police on that topic Tuesday morning.