Crime
Venezuelan Migrant Critically Injured in Shooting on 74th & Phillips in Chicago
Chicago, IL – A Venezuelan migrant is in critical condition following a shooting that occurred around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 8, 2024, near the intersection of 74th Street and Phillips Avenue.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the back and chest. Emergency responders rushed the individual to a nearby hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. The injuries are described as life-threatening.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the shooting involved five suspects firing from a gray sedan, which authorities believe may be either a Kia or Honda. The vehicle fled the scene immediately after the attack.
Detectives are working to identify the suspects and establish a motive for the shooting. The Chicago Police Department is reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and homes to gather more evidence about the vehicle and those involved.
Residents in the area are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information related to this incident. Police have emphasized the importance of public cooperation in apprehending the suspects.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department’s Area Two Detectives at 312-747-8271 or submit an anonymous tip to CPD’s tip line.
Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.