Crime
11-Year-Old Injured in Rush Hour Shooting Following Traffic Dispute on Chicago’s West Side
An 11-year-old boy was injured in a shooting Friday morning on Chicago’s West Side following a minor traffic collision during rush hour.
According to the Chicago Police Department, the incident occurred just before 8:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of North Western Avenue in the West Town neighborhood. Two vehicles were involved in a minor traffic crash.
As one driver exited their vehicle to exchange information, the other driver reportedly produced a firearm and opened fire on the other vehicle.
Amid the gunfire, an 11-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the vehicle being fired upon, was struck in the hand by a bullet. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was reported to be in good condition.
The shooter fled the scene in an unknown direction following the incident. Authorities have not released a description of the suspect or the vehicle at this time.
Chicago police are actively investigating the shooting. They urge anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Area Five Detectives at 312-746-6554 or to call 911.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted via CPDtip.com. Law enforcement is seeking assistance from the public to help identify and locate the suspect.
This incident highlights the dangers of escalating violence and road rage incidents during peak traffic hours. Community members are encouraged to come forward with any relevant details that could aid in resolving the case.
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.