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Shooting That Sent Kids Running From Humboldt Park Leads To 3 Arrests

By Paul Biasco | April 18, 2016 3:08pm
 Nicholas Ortiz, 28, was charged with possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.
Nicholas Ortiz, 28, was charged with possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.
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Chicago Police Department

HUMBOLDT PARK — Three men were arrested after shots were fired in Humboldt Park Saturday night, leading families gathered at the park to run from the scene, police said. 

The shots rang out in the park before 7 p.m. on an unseasonably warm day that brought many Chicagoans outside. A witness who was driving south on California Avenue said he saw a group of men yelling, heard gunfire and saw "kids and families running out of the park." 

Officers responding to calls of shots fired in the park spotted a car with three suspects matching the description given by witnesses of the shooting, according to police.

The officers made a stop in the park in the 1300 block of Luis Munoz Marin Dr. and arrested the three men after finding open alcohol in the vehicle as well as a .40 caliber handgun, police said. 

No one was injured in the shooting and police did not find any actual shell casings in the park, but the vehicle had bullet holes in it, police said. 

Nicholas Ortiz, 28, of the 3100 block of West Monroe Street was charged with possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.

The driver of the vehicle, 27-year-old Hugo Gomez of the 2300 block of West Roscoe Street was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, transporting/carrying alcohol as a driver and cited for possessing alcohol on park property.

The third person in the vehicle, 31-year-old Sean Alvarado of the 4600 block of West Deming Place was cited for possessing alcohol on park property.

The shooting came as Humboldt Park community leaders voiced concern over a spike in violence in the area. 

"It was sad to see all the kids run out the park," said the witness. "It was such a nice day outside."

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