CPD shuts down River North business after mass shooting injures 8
CPD said the shooting prompted them to shut down Blum restaurant and bar. People who work in the area said this closing couldn't have come any sooner.
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Shardaa Gray is a Multimedia Reporter for CBS News Chicago. She joined the team in December 2021. She was born and raised in the south suburbs. She's happy to return home to report on her community.
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Shardaa previously worked at KOKH in Oklahoma City for five years, where she was the morning reporter.
Prior to that, she reported in at KSN in Wichita, Kansas; and WJFW in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
A native of the South Side, Shardaa graduated from Columbia College Chicago, where she earned her B.A. in journalism, and is a proud graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School. She is a proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
When she's not chasing a story, Shardaa loves to spend time with her family, dogs and exploring the city. You can probably catch her at a Bears, Bulls, White Sox, or Cubs game.
CPD said the shooting prompted them to shut down Blum restaurant and bar. People who work in the area said this closing couldn't have come any sooner.
Four of the eight victims were listed in critical condition Sunday afternoon.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, who inherited the event from his predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, previously had been noncommittal about bringing the race back.
Once a packed meeting got under way, residents booed and chanted at city leaders. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they lashed out.
"This is a humanitarian need given that we have children right now at police stations. Many children already have chronic bronchitis. They have complications at birth from mothers, who had to give birth in inhumane conditions."
Among the victims is a 7-year-old boy who suffered a graze wound to the head.
Late Wednesday night, we were there as adults and small children stepped off one of the buses, and greeted with blankets.
Francisco Benitez, 52, claimed Chicago police framed him. In August, his murder conviction was tossed out by a judge.
"We've only gotten two 6% wage increases in the last eight years. Our wages are 21% behind when you look at inflation. And the company has a 20% offer on the table right now."
It is a crime we have reported on time and time again and a reality with which we have become all too familiar.
The oldest victim in the string of robberies is a 78-year-old man.
Police said a vehicle connected to the suspect was found in Oklahoma where police attempted to stop him before a fiery crash.
Romeoville police said they spent the 36 hours after the discovery of the deaths collecting a "tremendous amount" of physical evidence.
"I want to know what's going on, man. It's very very quiet. It's incredibly quiet. This stuff doesn't happen here. It's very unnerving. I'm pretty sure the whole neighborhood is shook up."
Police said a man went into a woman's apartment near Armitage Avenue and Mozart Street.