CHICAGO — Shootings jumped up more than 50 percent this June despite efforts from Chicago Police to combat the violence.
About 447 people were killed or wounded in 361 shootings this June, a sharp spike from last June, when there were 272 victims in 218 shootings, according to a DNAinfo Chicago analysis of data and the Chicago Police Department.
Kelly Bauer on the dramatic year-over-year increase in shootings.
This month's surge in violence makes this June the most violent in at least six years. Overall, about 72 people were murdered throughout the city, police said — at least 61 of them in shootings. Forty-three people were killed in shootings last year.
Heres's a look at how this June's violence compares to the past:
The deadliest days of the month were June 16 and 18, when six people were murdered.
Chicago Police did not respond to requests for comment, but they have made changes to try to combat the violence. They set up "mobile patrols" at beaches and parks, put 150 officers on the street, targeted gang members in raids, expanded bike and foot patrols, are tweaking their overtime policy and have called for tougher gun laws.
Police have taken 4,300 guns off the street, a 30 percent increase from last year, and made 1,530 gun arrests, a jump of 9 percent, according of a Chicago Police news release.
“While the vast majority of Chicago is a safe and growing city, we know that communities that have historically struggled with violence continue to bear the burden of gang members committing crimes with illegal guns. We have made clear to these criminals that we know who they are and we are using every resource at our disposal to hold them accountable for their actions,” said Supt. Eddie Johnson, according to the news release. “Nevertheless, we cannot arrest our way out of this problem, and we have to work together to create better opportunities for at-risk individuals, and ensure that repeat offenders who consistently wreak havoc on neighborhoods know that there are penalties for their actions. Working with all Chicagoans, CPD will continue its efforts to keep our streets safe.”
The violence has been fueled by "repeat offenders with ties to gangs," and many of the guns used have been illegal, police siad.
Dean Angelo, the head of Chicago's police union, said on Tuesday that anti-police sentiment has made it harder to be an officer in Chicago.
"We have an Orlando every month in Chicago, and no one seems to raise an eyebrow," Angelo said. "I don't know what the Fourth of July weekend's going to bring."
The surge in violence for June follows a year-long trend that has seen shootings and homicides rise dramatically from last year. Some officials have warned Chicago could see 700 homicides before the year is out.
Here's a look at some of this month's violence:
• On June 8, a 16-year-old boy was shot just blocks from where Police Supt. Eddie Johnson spoke to reporters about a crackdown on violence.
• On June 19, 3-year-old Devon Quinn was shot while riding with his dad to pick up his mom for Father's Day. The toddler has been left paralyzed.
• On June 23, Jessica Hampton was stabbed to death while riding on the Red Line. Her family found out about her death through gruesome videos posted on Facebook.
• On June 28, Kavan Collins, 4, was shot in his jaw. The boy's family thought the gunfire was fireworks until Collins started screaming and bleeding.
