Man shot in alley near Roberts Square Park at Lockwood & Winnemac while kids played

by BRIAN NADIG

A 24-year-old man was shot twice in an apparent gang-related incident at about 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, while walking in an alley in the 5000 block of North Lockwood Avenue near Roberts Square Park, where children reportedly were playing at the time, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police and area residents.

The man, who was transported to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, was in stable condition after suffering gunshot wounds to his upper left back and the left side of his neck, with latter described as a graze wound, according to police.

A group of residents is planning to hold an outdoor community meeting to discuss the shooting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the park, 5200 W. Argyle St.

Alderman James Gardiner (45th) said that he is planning to hold a safety seminar with police officials next week at Beaubien School, 5025 N. Laramie Ave., in response to the shooting. The date and time of the meeting are expected to be announced in a couple of days.

The shooting was especially unnerving given that it happened in the middle of an afternoon on a weekend when families are often in the park, a resident said.

A parent reportedly grabbed her child and friends and fled the park upon hearing the gunshots. Nine spent shell casings were found in the alley, police said.

The man reported that a car, described as an older model silver or baby blue Hyundai Sonata, drove by him but then stopped, police said.

A passenger, described only as wearing dark clothing, exited the car and reportedly asked the man what gang he represented, with the man responding that he was not affiliated with any gang, police said. The man was shot as he was walking away, police said.

The man reportedly took shelter in a nearby garage, whose owner called 911.

Gardiner issued the following statement: “The rise in violent crime in our community is the direct result of failed agendas that have been pushed by extremists over the last several years. Residents of our community and throughout this city are fed up with the nonsense and are demanding answers to problems that are impacting all communities.”

There have been eight reported shooting incidents in the 16th District through Oct. 29 this year compared to 16 through the same period in 2022, although overall serious crime (2,368 total incidents) is up 32 percent in the district, with car thefts up 99 percent and robberies up 40 percent, according to police.

This is just part of today’s coverage. Get the full story - every article, every ad, every page. Subscribe now.

The Latest From Our Community