Following a weekend marked by at least seven deaths and 38 injuries from shootings in Chicago, former President Donald Trump has reiterated his call for military intervention in the city. The surge in violence occurred as Chicago celebrated Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery.
Preliminary reports from the Chicago Police Department indicate that more than two dozen shooting incidents took place from Friday evening through Sunday. Among the victims were a 21-year-old fatally shot on Sunday, an 18-year-old killed Saturday evening, and a 50-year-old who died Friday. On Friday evening, a crowd of at least 12 individuals on a Chicago street were injured when an SUV approached and two occupants began shooting. The victims, ranging in age from 17 to 47, were transported to local hospitals. Another man sustained unknown injuries and declined medical treatment.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the violence on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "Violence has no place in our city, and those responsible will be held accountable." He added, "What should have been a night of celebration and community reflection for Juneteenth was shattered by a horrific act of violence."
While Chicago experienced a slight increase in shooting incidents compared to the same period last year, overall violent crime rates have seen a general decline in recent years, mirroring national trends.
Other major U.S. cities also reported gun violence over the weekend. Philadelphia saw two fatalities and two injuries from a shooting early Sunday morning. In Cincinnati, three people were killed Saturday evening, and Kansas City, Missouri, reported one death and five injuries from a Friday evening shooting.
Under the Trump administration, National Guard troops were deployed to Democratic-led cities, including New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, for crime-fighting missions. The office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who has previously rejected Trump's calls for military intervention, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.