A shooting at a house party in the southwest of Chicago left three dead and five others wounded on Monday afternoon, sending partygoers fleeing in panic, authorities reported.
The shooting occurred around 2:10 p.m. local time in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.
Police responding to the scene found eight victims—four men and four women—ranging in age from 20 to 35.
Among the dead were a 26-year-old man and two other men, while a 27-year-old woman, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head, was hospitalized and said to be in a critical condition.
Names of the men who died have not been released.
David Struett/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
What Caused the Shooting at the Chicago House Party?
Of the injured survivors, a 24-year-old woman, who was shot six times, is in serious condition, and three others—two men and a woman—are recovering and said to be in good condition, according to Chicago Police Chief of Patrol Jon Hein.
While Hein did not identify the shooter or shooters, he confirmed the attack occurred during a “social gathering” at the home, which neighbors say is frequently used for parties.
Witnesses told responding officers a fight broke out in the hallway of the basement when someone opened fire moments later, according to the police report. Officers found “multiple” shell casings throughout the basement floor.
One neighbor, named El Towers, reported hearing at least 10 gunshots followed by the sound of people running from the house, screaming in fear.
Police have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the attack and the suspects remain at large.
David Struett/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Previous Disturbances at Chicago House
“We’re going to solve this crime and find the individuals that are responsible for this heinous, terrible incident,” Hein told reporters at the scene.
Newsweek contacted the Chicago Police Department by email on Tuesday requesting further information.
Authorities also revealed that this was not the first time police had been called to the residence.
The home, located on the 6000 block of South Francisco Avenue, has reportedly been the site of previous disturbances, though details of those incidents were not immediately available.
Despite the ongoing investigation, no further updates were provided by the Chicago Police Department as of Tuesday morning.
Is Gun Violence in Chicago Getting Worse?
The shooting adds to the growing concerns over gun violence in the city, which has seen an uptick in shootings over the past year.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, with residents anxiously awaiting answers about the identity of the attackers and the motive behind the deadly attack.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press
