13-year-old boy charged in shooting that wounded 4 boys in Chicago's Bronzeville community

A 13-year-old boy was charged Monday morning in a shooting that left four boys between the ages of 11 and 14 wounded in Chicago's Bronzeville community over the weekend.

The boy was charged as a juvenile with four felony counts of aggravated battery involving the discharge of a firearm, and two felony weapons counts. He was due for an initial appearance in Cook County Juvenile Court on Monday.

The mass shooting took place at 9:39 p.m. Saturday in the 4500 block of South Prairie Avenue. Police believe someone pulled a gun, opened fire, and struck four boys — all between the ages of 11 and 14.

One 13-year-old boy was shot in the left foot, another in the right leg. The youngest boy, originally reported to be 12 but since reported to be just 11, was shot in the left leg. All were in good condition.

A 14-year-old boy suffered a graze wound to the back and was reported in fair condition.

All were taken to the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital.

A source told CBS News Chicago early Monday that a person of interest was being questioned in the shooting, and that person was 13 years old and has since been charged. 

Neighbors in the area said there was a party that spilled onto the street, with some referencing it as a takeover that ended in the shooting. A social media video was taken before the incident and before curfew.

"The real question is where does a 13-year-old get a gun?" said Patty Casey.

Casey is a former Chicago Police Department commander for youth investigations.

"I don't think that the Chicago Police Department has the resources to handle this alone, you know, perhaps they can get some partner agencies such as the Cook County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois State Police to end these parties before they get started," she said.

She noted that though the numbers tell a story of less violent crime.

"If you're a victim of a crime, it doesn't matter if there's been one crime or 10,000 crimes. It still affects you," Casey said.

According to recent Chicago police data, murder complaints are up for the first time in a while. Robbery is still down 25% — less than last year. Aggravated battery and overall shooting incidents have increased.    

Street pastor Donovan Price echoed what neighbors in Bronzeville have been saying.

"We have to do something. This is the beginning of the summer," he said.

Unfortunately, that was not the only shooting that day involving teens. 

Less than two hours later and less than a mile away, three people were shot in the 4600 block of South Federal Street.

Officers found two young women and a man with gunshot wounds upon being called to the scene, but the victims were unable to provide details about what happened.

An 18-year-old woman was shot in the abdomen and was reported in critical condition. A 19-year-old woman was shot in the right hand, and a 20-year-old man was shot in the left shoulder, and both were reported in good condition.

The victims were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center. All are expected to survive.

In a statement Sunday, Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) decried the violence involving young people in Chicago, and called for greater accountability from parents, businesses, and social media platforms as city leaders search for ways to curb youth violence this summer.

"We need to ask ourselves as the adults in the community: Where are their parents? Where are the role models?" Dowell said in a statement. "Why are children out at night when, quite honestly, they should be home and in bed? How are we failing our youth?"

Casey advises residents to call police if they see things start to become unruly, so officers can have the opportunity to break up a gathering before it gets out of control. 

It is unclear how the gun got into the party. As of Monday, Chicago police had no updates on the Federal Street shooting.