DOUGLAS — Police said Friday they have recovered two high-powered rifles believed to have been used in recent shootings in Brighton Park.
At a Friday press conference at police headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan Ave., police Supt. Eddie Johnson announced the arrest of a 16- and 17-year-old boy Thursday night found with an AK-47 and a .223 caliber rifle.
Brighton Park has faced a recent spate of shootings and Captain Warren Richards of the Deering District said the guns were believed to have been used in recent shootings but have not yet been tied to any specific incident.
He said officers heard gunshots near 48th Street and Loomis Street while patrolling Back of the Yards Friday night.
“This is an example of officers heading towards gunfire,” Richards said.
The officers chased three people in a stolen car to the 4500 block of South Hermitage Avenue, where they caught the two boys, according to police. Police said they are still searching for the third person from the car.
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) said there have been too many shootings lately in the neighborhood involving 30-40 shots fired from high-powered rifles and hitting gang members and bystanders.
“By working with our police and people stepping out of the shadows to say we will not tolerate weapons of war in our communities, only then will we made a significant difference,” Lopez said.
No charges have yet been filed for either of the boys.
