CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Political, religious and community leaders gathered at the site of this week’s mass shooting on the city’s West Side to talk about trauma services in the community and more.
Yolanda Fields, of Breakthrough Urban Ministries, said her organization has offered trauma services to all 14 people who were wounded Monday night at the corner of California Avenue and Polk Street. She said 10 of the victims were from one family, which had been taking part in a vigil for another family member who died of natural causes.
“I know the mom is concerned about her children right now,” Fields said. “The youngest one was going into surgery yesterday, and so their immediate thoughts are about being well.”
Rev. Cornelius Parks, of Good Hope Free Will Church, said too many children are being shot in East Garfield Park.
“We need men and women to take accountability of your own community,” Parks said. “There’s only so much CPD can do. There’s only so much that outsiders can do. If you don’t take a stand in your own community, that could be your son, that could be your daughter.”
State Rep. Lakesia Collins said resources are coming into the community, but she added that they’ve barely been noticed because the community has been oppressed for so long
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“Our kids, they don’t have hope,” Collins said. “Their parents are frightened. I know I’m frightened. I’m afraid that every day I might receive a phone call about my 17-year-old, or my 14-year-old or my 9-year-old, who are simply going home from school, or going to the store or wanting to go to their park.”
Congressman Danny Davis said the community is rising up by saying that something must change.
Chicago police are still investigating the shooting, which officials said lasted three seconds and was caught on police street video.
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