"First of all, the man lies every day... Shut up, Donald. Just send money and restore the money you took away from gun violence prevention."
— Father Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina Catholic Church
Juneteenth Weekend Shootings in Chicago Spark Renewed Political Debate
A series of shootings in Chicago over the Juneteenth weekend (from Friday evening through Sunday) resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, according to police reports. The incidents have prompted renewed political debate regarding federal intervention in the city's violence.
Incident Summary
Chicago police reported at least two dozen shooting incidents over the weekend. The number of victims varies across sources, with reports of 39 victims (six fatal) from one account, and seven deaths and 38 injuries from another.
The most notable incident occurred Friday evening when an SUV approached a crowd on a Chicago street. Two individuals exited the vehicle and opened fire, wounding 12 people. The victims included eight men and four women, aged 17 to 47. Four hospitals treated the victims; one man refused treatment. Among the deceased, reported in separate incidents, are a 33-year-old man, a 34-year-old man, and a 21-year-old man.
Political Response
President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday, criticizing Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and reiterating a proposal to deploy military or federal forces to Chicago to reduce crime. Trump claimed he could make Chicago safe in one month, referencing his actions in Washington, D.C.
Governor Pritzker's office did not immediately comment on the post. Pritzker has previously rejected Trump's proposal to federalize National Guard members and sued to block a similar deployment last year.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the shootings, stating that what should have been a celebration for Juneteenth was disrupted by violence. He offered thoughts and prayers to victims and pledged accountability for perpetrators. On Monday, Johnson stated he wished Trump would "follow Chicago's lead and invest in Black America" and said the administration has cut funding for education, housing, and health care.
Father Michael Pfleger, a priest at St. Sabina Catholic Church, criticized Trump's post on Monday, stating, "First of all, the man lies every day" and "Shut up, Donald. Just send money and restore the money you took away from gun violence prevention."
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded, stating that Trump's actions in cities like D.C. and Memphis have reduced violent crime and that Chicago residents would benefit from similar federal efforts.
Crime Statistics and Context
Chicago Police Department data shows a slight increase in shooting incidents compared to the first half of the previous year, but overall violent crime rates have generally declined in the city over recent years, consistent with national trends.
A study by the Niskanen Center found that a National Guard presence in Washington, D.C. had a minimal effect on violent crime.
Proposed Policy
Community groups, faith leaders, and city officials gathered at City Hall on Monday to express support for creating a Department of Gun Violence Prevention, which would focus on reducing gun violence and coordinating prevention programs. State and city leaders have stated a preference for community-level crime prevention programs over federal military intervention.
Gun Violence in Other Cities
Over the same weekend, gun violence was also reported in other cities, including:
- Philadelphia: 2 dead, 2 wounded
- Cincinnati: 3 dead
- Kansas City, Missouri: 1 dead, 5 wounded