Chicago witnessed its largest mass shooting of the year this weekend, when police said two masked gunmen killed one person and wounded 14 others after opening fire on a crowd at a South Side park.
Authorities said the shooting erupted Saturday night as police were trying to clear out a packed Washington Park at about 11:30 p.m.
A police report said a man among the park-goers returned fire at the gunmen, who fled. No arrests were announced, as of Monday.
“Every time a tragedy like this happens, it is not only disruptive and incredibly traumatic, It’s horrifying and frightening for so many of our families,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “But that’s why we are very much committed to ensuring that we are holding people accountable.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Sunday that “last night’s shooting in Washington Park has left Chicago mourning this weekend.”
“Gun violence has no place here — and law enforcement will work around the clock to ensure accountability and keep communities safe. My heart is with the victims, families, and those affected,” Mr. Pritzker said.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the slain victim as Rontonio Guterz, 35. He died from multiple gunshot wounds.
The men and women who were injured ranged in age from 21 to 47, police said. The oldest victim was in serious condition, while most others were in good or fair condition at a hospital.
Authorities said they did not know the condition of three of the victims or to which medical facility they were taken.
Reports said the park was bustling due to a reunion of former residents of the Robert Taylor Homes public housing project. The sprawling apartment complex was in operation from 1962 until it was torn down in 2007.
“There were people that were still out there looking for their loved ones, for their friends and their families,” Justin Peters, a violence interrupter with Chitown Crime Chasers, told WLS-TV. “We’re acting like this is the norm. And it’s not. This is not OK. This is not something we should be used to.”
Police said 22 shootings took place across the city this weekend, with a total of three killed and 41 injured in the separate incidents.
Police records show that homicides are up 4% this year in Chicago but total crime is down 4%, compared to the same time period in 2025.
