Gunfire leaves 7 teens wounded on Chicago's West Side

Chicago police early Sunday were investigating a mass shooting that left six teens wounded in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood, as well as a shooting minutes earlier that wounded a seventh teen.

The shootings came as police deployed extra resources across the city for the July 4th holiday weekend.

Around 1:34 a.m., six people were shot during a large gathering in the 3800 block of West Maypole Avenue, at Hamlin Boulevard, right along the western edge of Garfield Park in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. Police said multiple people were standing outside when they were struck by gunfire.

Neighbors said hundreds of people took over the block and added that police were already there trying to clear the crowds when gunshots rang out.

"I wouldn't even say this was a block party. This was a takeover," said Etta Johnson.

She captured video from her window, showing what Maypole Avenue looked like on the night of Saturday, July 4.

Johnson described it as chaotic and said that many people seemed underage. Another neighbor also captured video of what appeared to be teens standing in a crowd—one person holding what appeared to be a shotgun with an orange tip signifying it is a toy or replica and not a real, lethal weapon. Police were also seen trying to clear the street around 1 a.m.

"The police were totally outnumbered last night," Johnson said.

An 18-year-old woman was shot once each in the buttocks and arm, and a 19-year-old man was shot once in the foot. Both were taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in good condition.

A 17-year-old boy was shot once in the leg, a 20-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body, another 17-year-old boy was shot twice in the neck, and an 18-year-old man was shot once in the leg. All were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.

Police also indicated that nine minutes before the mass shooting, a 17-year-old girl was also shot on the same block. Police said the victim was outside when she suffered one gunshot wound to the chest. She was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in critical condition. It was not immediately clear if or how this was related to the mass shooting.  

At one point, police at the scene warned people to either leave or be arrested. Video showed officers placing someone in custody. 

"My husband and my neighbors, we moved our cars because they were destroying cars over here, and if you didn't have a locked gate, they would come and sit on your porch," Johnson said.

Three separate neighbors told CBS Chicago that people on the block are known to promote similar gatherings on social media.

"They were here Juneteenth with the same mentality. Normally, it's in August they have some party for someone on the block. The last three years we have been bombarded with this chaos," Johnson said.

Connie Mitchell has lived on Hamlin Boulevard for 30 years. Her doorbell camera captured people crowding in front of her home.

"If it's only getting worse, who's helping the residents who are pouring their heart and souls into this neighborhood?" she said.

Mitchell is part of the Garfield Park Advisory Council and says she's been pushing for change in the area for years.

"These kids, how can they work all night? You can give them jobs during the day, where they going to be at night?" she said.

"The alderman and the mayor and the commander, we need help, we need serious help over here," Johnson said.

Neighbors said they're expecting another takeover before the end of the summer, and are desperate for help from city leaders. 

CBS News Chicago reached out to the mayor's office and Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) but has yet to hear back.

As for the shootings, there is no one in custody.

Police investigate other shootings in Chicago

Chicago police on Sunday were also investigating several other shootings in various parts of Chicago overnight.

At 12:15 a.m. Sunday, a 19-year-old man was shot in the 1600 block of West 108th Place, near Ashland Avenue in the Morgan Park neighborhood. Police said the victim was walking outside when someone ran up, took out a gun, and shot him multiple times.

The victim was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.

The shooter fled north on Ashland Avenue, police said.

Dozens of fireworks could be seen going off in the street as police were at the scene of the Morgan Park shooting.

Meanwhile, also in West Garfield Park, a man is dead after he was found shot multiple times on the sidewalk in the 4300 block of West Van Buren Street at 1:45 a.m.

The man was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in critical condition, and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Earlier in the evening, a 29-year-old man was sitting in his car in the 400 block of East 90th Street when he was shot in the thigh at 10:02 p.m. Saturday. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.