CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Charges have been filed against a man in connection with the shooting of 15 people at a Halloween party near Roosevelt and Pulaski Roads early Sunday.
Chicago police said 48-year-old William Groves attended the party before something happened that led to his removal from a party at Studio 1258, an art gallery that police said has a "history of throwing unlicensed events."
Groves was accused of returning to the party with a .357 handgun and opening fire.
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said Groves is a convicted felon and should not have been in possession of a gun. Groves' records show he was convicted of attempted murder in 2008.
Snelling spoke about the shooting at a press conference at Chicago Police Headquarters alongside Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, Mayor Brandon Johnson, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and Ald. Monique Scott (24th).
"Over the course of the last several days, there have been conversations nationwide about mass shootings," Foxx said. "The reality is they've become all too familiar in places like Chicago, where we have seemingly become numb to the violence. Fifteen people were shot in Lawndale. Fifteen people."
Foxx added that in addition to physical harm that the bullets caused to the victims, their trauma will remain.
The fifteen victims' conditions have been improving. None of the injuries have appeared to be life threatening.
"We need to focus on the victims and support for them moving forward," Snelling said. "To everyone affected by this shooting and to our North Lawndale neighbors, we're standing with you."
The City has set up a victim's assistance center at YMEN, located at 1241 S. Pulaski Road. Anyone impacted by the shooting was encouraged to go there.
Charges against Groves include 15 counts of attempted murder. He will appear in court Tuesday afternoon.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
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