CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A man has been charged hours after a mass shooting, which Mayor Lori Lightfoot called an “incredible act of cowardice,” wounded 13 people, including a 16-year-old boy who had been in critical condition, Sunday attending a memorial party in Englewood.
On Sunday evening, police announced charges were filed against 37-year-old Marciano White, of Beverly. He has been charged with a felony count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
The incident stemmed from a dispute inside the home, Chief of Patrol Fred Waller said at a press conference Sunday morning. Shots were fired inside, and people scattered outside, he said. The gunfire continued as people ran out, with two people appearing to shoot “randomly” at those exiting the building. At one point the shots were aimed at someone in a vehicle.
Two persons of interests — including a 25-year-old man who was seriously wounded in the shooting — were being questioned, police said. Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert saw White quickly leaving the home, clutching a bag across his body, police said. As officers attempted to approach him, he tried to elude them, but was taken into custody and found in possession of a firearm, police said.The victims included nine men and four women between 16 and 48 years old, police said. Seven people were taken to area hospitals by ambulance, and six others went on their own, according to Waller. One person has since been released from hospital care.
Four people were hospitalized in critical condition, including a 16-year-old boy who was taken to St. Bernard Hospital with gunshot wounds to the chest and lower back, police said. The boy’s condition has since been downgraded to “serious,” and a 27-year-old woman who was previously in critical condition has been stabilized.
Two men, 40 and 21, remain in critical condition at the University of Chicago Medical Center and St. Bernard Hospital, respectively, police said. With the exception of the 16-year-old in serious condition, everyone else was in good condition or had been stabilized Sunday afternoon.
Witnesses told police the memorial party was being held to celebrate the birthday of 22-year-old Lonell Irvin, who was fatally shot during an attempted carjacking in April, Ahern said. While detectives are trying to pinpoint a motive, the preliminary investigation suggests the shooting was an isolated incident.
“Right now, it doesn’t appear to have been a targeted or retaliation-type incident,” Ahern said. “It appears to be more of a personal dispute inside the party that spilled out into the street.”
Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) said the shooting happened in the top unit of a two-unit graystone.
Waller said POD cameras helped investigators get information about what transpired, and CPD plans to bolster police in the area.
White remains in custody, police said. He is due in Central Bond Court on Monday.
Area South detectives are investigating.