CHICAGO — A frantic scene erupted in a North Side park Sunday evening after two women were shot near Montrose Beach.
One woman, 21, was shot in the left shoulder. The other, 48, was shot in her left arm and back. Both were taken in serious condition to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital.
The shooting, in the 4500 block of North Simonds Drive, just west of the beach, took place shortly after 6 p.m., said Officer Veejay Zala, a Chicago Police Department spokesman.
A DNAinfo Chicago reporter witnessed the aftermath of the shooting near the Wilson Skate Park, while jogging.
One witness told the reporter there appeared to be an argument between two groups of people. One group walked away, and reportedly vowed to return. One witness, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, said she saw three young men run past her, then heard gunshots.
Hundreds of people were in the park at the time of the shooting. Many were enjoying an afternoon of grilling and relaxing. Others were decked out in rainbow beads and flashy outfits, walking back from the Pride Parade.
Walking turned to running as the shots rang out, and people tried to take cover from the shooting.
As emergency crews arrived to tend to the victims, civilians helped two police officers hold large crowds at bay.
People on the scene frantically looked for friends and loved ones, asking each other who the victims were and what they were wearing. Hundreds of people stayed on the scene as first responders cared for the older woman.
"We were just hanging out. She got shot," said a friend of the woman, who accompanied her to the hospital, indicating the woman was not the shooters' target.
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