Monday, August 19, 2013

Five Shot At Sheridan & Wilson

Photo posted by a reader to UU's Facebook page

Around 6pm, 15 to 20 gunshots were heard by many readers.  We are getting multiple reports of where it happened, but the most detailed description is:

"15-20 shots fired Wilson and Sheridan.   On the SW corner (in front of Church), White newer Toyota Hyundai car sprayed shots into another person/vehicle.  Cops are on the scene.   Shooter car tore ass Westbound towards Broadway.   Occupant of car, black male in blue hat."

No reports yet of anyone being injured, but there are multiple ambulances at the scene.  More details as we hear more.

Update:  From witnesses, it seems as though there was at least one fatality, and at least four people on the ground hit by bullets.  All unconfirmed at the moment.  This happened in front of Uptown Baptist Church.

Update:  CBS2 is reporting that one person is dead and five have been wounded.  And an assault rifle was used.

Update:  No ID on the man who died yet.  Police are all over the area because of the strong possibility of gang retaliation.

Update:  Channel 7 has a report that five people were shot, but nothing we don't already know. Ditto for WGN.  They'll probably update as the evening goes on, so hang on to the links.

Update:  Sensitive material here -- CBS has backed off its initial report of a fatality.  It is now reporting that five males were shot, and their conditions range from extremely critical to critical to good.  An eyewitness says on the Facebook page that he saw someone shot in the head.

Update:  Chicago Fire Department tweeted:  "Plan 1for shootings wilson and sheridan. Five victims all male one extreme critical. Three serious to critical one good condition."

Update:  Fox Chicago has a report about the shooting.  One victim extremely critical, three serious to critical, and one in good condition.

Update:  The Tribune has interviewed witnesses and confirmed the white car speeding from the scene.  A commenter says the car was abandoned in front of 4848 West Sheridan, near Argyle ("The shooter abandoned the white Hyundai Sonata car opposite the bldg at 4848 N Sheridan. Cops are out here in full force taking pictures, etc.").  Fox News has updated its report to say a victim has died.

Update:  The car used by the shooters was found in front of McCutcheon School on the 4800 block of Sheridan.

A reader says he "was out for a walk right after the shooting. A Police car came up Sheridan northbound with lights and sirens on and stopped next to a white Hyundai parked in front of the school." When he returned to the scene later in the evening, "multiple police cars were parked by the car on Sheridan and near 1006 Ainslie. A few SWAT guys were even at Ainslie and Sheridan. There were multiple cops looking for a gun in the alley between Kenmore and Sheridan, 4900 block. One cop walking down alley mentioned shooter may have gone in 1006 Ainslie (a constant hot spot and residence of a few who were rounded up a few weeks ago) and said something about 4848 Winthrop as well."

Update:  According to Fox Chicago, people who knew the shooters and victims say that it was gang-related.  One person is in custody.  People living in mid-rises and high-rises in the area are being asked for their IDs and being searched as they enter their buildings.

Update:  The Tribune says that two of the victims had gang affiliations.  The men who were shot ranged in age from their 20s to 50s.  We don't know how many were uninvolved citizens who happened to be in "the wrong place at the wrong time" -- which is a ridiculous phrase when applied to people being on church property while a prayer service is being held and meals are being served to the hungry.  If anyone was in the wrong place, it was the shooters.  The Tribune contradicts Fox Chicago and says no one is in custody.

Update:  We are still not aware of the names of any of the victims.  Remember that their families and friends are grieving, and that not only did five people's lives change course in the matter of 30 seconds, but the lives of the people who love them did as well.   Most of us can't imagine getting a phone call with the news the victims' families got last night.  We ask that you keep them in your thoughts.  This is what the Tribune has to say:

"The victims, all men, ranged in age from 21 to 58, Chicago Police Department News Affairs Officer Ron Gaines said, citing preliminary information.

The youngest man was being shot in the head and taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition, authorities said. Police had initially said the man had died, citing preliminary information.  Three of the injured were brought to Weiss Memorial Hospital: a 44-year-old man shot in the knee, a 58-year-old man shot in the hand, and a 32-year-old man shot in the ankle. All three were in good condition, Gaines said.  A 26-year-old man shot in both arms was taken to Advocate Illinois Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized."

Update:  According to the live WGN News at 6am, all five men are alive.  The man who was reported to have passed remains in the hospital on life support.  WGN is saying that four of the five victims had gang ties.

107 comments:

  1. Just heard over the fire department scanner that 5 people (4 red and 1 yellow) were transported to 4 area hospitals.

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  2. I was there...I was there...Never seen anything like it in all my life....

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    1. OMG! I can't imagine just walking and all of a sudden you have NO MORE LIFE. Period. Misty, I don't have words. I can't imagine it. I just can't. Thank God you are alright. My prayers go out to the homeless people waiting in line just so they could eat. It's so sad.

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  3. One fatal and four critical. This from the scanner. Please pray for Uptown.

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  4. Can't get much closer to a church than where it occurred. Prayers aren't going to do shit.

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    1. NOW is NOT the time for stupid comments like yours!

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  5. I'm a pretty tough individual and complain plenty about the scumbag gang members. But, this was the first time I was witness to one of these shootings. Watching a kid bleed out on the sidewalk is pretty tough to see. Thought I had lost all of my compassion for humanity...but I guess not. Really a sad feeling.

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    1. That's refreshing to hear, though I am deeply sorry if you were at the scene. Glad you're physically unharmed. I honestly believe that people who hurt others are hurting as well, emotionally or mentally. Both deserve compassion, as hard as it may be to muster the patience.

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  6. A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.

    Tacitus

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  7. I was about 300 feet away, it was over 16 shots fired in rapid succession. Usually there's a loitering party going on there, (on the church property) the crowd that pretty much lives on the McDonald's parking lot, I don't know if any of them got shot but it's a good possibility that they were there as well.

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    1. News reports stated it was a funeral for a "gang" member.

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  8. There's no escaping this. Get the guns and the gangs out of the City. Arrest the gun manufacturers and shop owners who sell these guns. Put the criminals away so that they will not get out to hurt again.

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    1. Yes Lianna!! It should be illegal to be in a gang or do drive by shootings in Chicago. Rham Emmanual needs to do something so this will never happen again!!!

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    2. It *is* illegal to do a drive by in Chicago. How is this the gun manufacturers fault though? How is this a shop owners fault? Most firearms used in crimes are either stolen or bought illegally through a straw purchase. According to the signs posted around the city there are thousands of pedestrians hit by cars every year - you don't see anyone arresting Ford and Honda dealership owners. Gang violence and crime will decrease when parents take a more active roll in the lives of their children. If a child is too busy doing homework to get good grades, they won't have enough time to be gangbanging on the street.

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  9. Whoever did this may you get caught and rot in hell.

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    1. There's a lot of surveillance cameras around. There should be some type of cam footage to help the police. What's surprising to me is that funerals are held in the evening hours????? Why weren't there police escorts at the funeral?

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    2. No there was no funeral. They serve the homeless on Monday evenings. THAT'S who was shot. Homeless people waiting for food. Sad

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  10. I'm so surprised that this happened!!! I thought guns were illegal in Chicago?? No?

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  11. This will NOT turn into a debate on gun rights or concealed carry. At least one person is dead. His family and friends are grieving. If you want to use this occasion to further your personal beliefs, this is not the time.

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    1. Honestly. Doesn't anyone moderate? I come here to read news and commentary from actual neighbors, not trolls.

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    2. Thank you!! I was wondering when that would come up...

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    3. Agreed. Mods are much-needed here.

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  12. Honestly it scared the hell out of me. I live a block away from the scene.

    I was in the middle of a nap and in my sleepy haze I thought it was a train going by. I quickly realized it wasn't. Truly terrible.

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  13. Prayers to the deceased, the injured and their families. Going forward I advise caution around the areas of Wilson & Magnolia and Lawrence & Sheridan as those are enemy areas of Wilson & Sheridan. Retaliation is almost guaranteed. Please be smart and conscious out here, these idiots don't care who they are shooting at. Sad sad day in Uptown.

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  14. That church has a free meal on Monday nights. There may have been more people loitering around than usual.

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  15. Ya know I was just thinking it's been quiet around Uptown, gangwise, recently.

    Last reported shooting, I think, was on June 28th where six people were shot at Sheridan and Lawrence.

    Uptown Update may want to start "tagging" these posts so they will be easier to follow.

    DNA INFO has a strange story regarding the shooting.

    Victim or banger or target ran into the Wilson Avenue Starbucks and locked himself in bathroom until the cops got him out? That's a hike from Sheridan.


    Victim or banger or target ran into the Wilson Avenue Starbucks and locked himself in bathroom until the cops got him out? That's a hike from Sheridan.

    I'd guess potential target or perhaps alleged shooter or shooter accomplice.

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  16. ALL innocent homeless people waiting in line to eat. SAD.

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  17. The shooter abandoned the white Hyundai Sonata car opposite the bldg at 4848 N Sheridan. Cops are out here in full force taking pictures, etc. I think I entered the bldg at the same time this went down - and a guy followed me in. I had never seen him before and he didn't seem to have keys. We usually have a doorman around this time but he had an early shift today. He was stocky, bald, wearing a blue hat and had a stubble. I was instantly suspicious so I waited and he followed someone else in the elevators.I gave the description to the cops and they will probably look at the CCTV cameras around our building. Be safe, everyone!

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    1. Make sure the cops take your statement and view your building's CCTV! Original article above said suspect was black and wearing a blue hat.

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  18. It's disgusting and horrible. I hope to god the next project I'm on is not in the Loop, where it's necessary for me to take the redline and I have to walk past this intersection every day. I dread and fear when I have to take the redline for work. God I wish I would have NEVER EVER bought a place in Uptown. Just NOT SAFE. People need to be able to reach public transportation without fear of getting killed. And, that's just not possible. It just isn't.

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    1. Emily, take the 146 or 136 buses. Catch them on Marine, they go express downtown. I also live in the neighborhood but north of Argyle. Sheridan from Lawrence down to Montrose is just sketchy.

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  19. They found the shooter's car parked in front of McClutcheon Elementary school.

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  20. Do we know if the victims were bangers, commuters or people trying to get a free meal?

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  21. this is so sad ....i cant believe who in god names would shot right in front of a church ..that is so disrespectful them people was just getting a hot meal ..

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    1. @ Shannon, I agree 109%. I'm sure that will catch the sub- humans who did this. There's WAY TOO much pressure on EVERY ONE now. I give it a couple of days IF that.

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  22. Last December, I witnessed a shooting at Wilson and Malden. The get away car was a white Hyundai Sonata. From the picture I have seen, this is the same car. The intended target was none other than Andre Williams. He was hit, and ran into the convince store to hide. I have to wonder if they were after him again. Several other shootings in Uptown have had witnesses claiming a white Toyota or Honda as a getaway car. I know I told the police last year the exact make and model. This could be a coincidence, but lets be real, it's not. I don't understand how the same person is responsible for several shootings, yet we can't catch them. Just doesn't make sense.

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  23. Come on UU keep it honest!! All the victims were innocent. They were either waiting to be served a meal from Uptown Baptist or just left the church after eating a meal as the Pastor has reported. These individuals were innocent victims. Unaware that they were being targeted by senseless IDIOTS. I watched the news report all the people who spoke on the News report who were present for the shooting were waiting on a Meal. One guy stayed in the Nursing Home. INNOCENT. No GANG ties to that community. Maybe they have past ties to gangs. Who knows but, today at that moment they were waiting on a meal. #homeless #innocent #realtalk

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    1. We have no idea whether or not they were gang-affiliated. Pastor says they aren't. The Tribune quotes witnesses who say they are. You say they aren't. Time will tell. I know the police said on the scanner earlier that they were preparing for gang retaliation. The truth will come out, but not tonight....

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    2. Well I live and grew up in the neighborhood. My "handle" is "RealTalk" for a reason, because I speak what I know to be facts. The victims tonight were NOT affiliated with any gangs in that Neighborhood. Not going off the police speculation or the media miscalculations or hasty reporting. They were waiting on a meal. The truth has come out Tonight. If the police are preparing for a retaliation its because the local gang members realize that could of been them and may take it as an attack on thier "turf". These guys were innocent. The pastor reported at least three of them just left the church from eating. #realtalk

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    3. Right. As we all know, gang members open fire on random crowds with assault rifles all the time.

      Ain't no gangs in Uptown....dat's #realtalk.

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    4. RealTalk, let's try to make sense of this. You state that it the shooting was not gang related, which is contradictory to everything else we have heard from the media, police, and the alderman. Then you go on to state that some of the victims involved could have affiliations with gangs on the West and Southsides and everyone knows that gang members are not allowed to cross those imaginary borders to venture into other parts of the city/suburbs.

      Is this more likely a gang member opening fire on a rival gang member(s)? Mistaken identity? Or a tickle-fest with high-powered rifles and lead? Which one makes more sense in this situation?

      It’s sad when incidents such as this happen. Now add innocent bystanders who were in line for some food to the equation and you go from sad to downright heartbreaking.

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  24. THANK GOODNESS today was not the first day of school!

    It would have been a PR disaster for the new SAFE PASSAGES program that Rahm Emanuel & Barbara Byrd-Bennett rolled out to ease our minds with the school closings.

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  25. Sorry RealTalk...I'm not buying that BS for one second. Whenever there is a shooting, all of a sudden there isn't a gang member in sight, just a bunch of innocent bystanders.....if you believe that, I've got some ocean front property in Iowa I need to sell. I am not saying that innocent people did not get shot tonight, on the contrary, I'm quite sure some did. What I am saying is I would almost bet my life that somewhere in that crowd was a gang member. These guys are idiots, low life losers that couldn't hit a water buffalo ten feet in front of them without and assault weapon, but one thing they are not know for.....shooting into a crowd of homeless/low income people without an intended target. Hell, if you were in a group of people, and just watched 5 people get shot and are a gang member, are you going to come forward and admit it, realizing that it should be you laying on the ground?? I don't really think so.

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  26. Based on the updates (blue hat & Lawrence Sheridan area) this points the finger at the Gangster Disciples or at least someone who wanted it to seem like they did it. Nowadays you can't really tell because these "beefs" have extended outside of neighborhoods and become inter-city. Maybe a quarter to half of these guys out here aren't from uptown. I really wouldn't be surprised if the shooter was from another part of the city. As a proud uptown lifer Im sad to say that i can no longer walk in the neighborhood. I take the kids to chase or wells park to play, and outside of target and jewel I spend my money in other neighborhoods.

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  27. the police are quick to respond to the incidents in this area but are no where to be seen before the shooters strike from when i have been in the area.

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  28. The saying is true, it's all fun and games till someone gets hurt. As an uptown resident, i'm sick of this. Even one shooting in my neighborhood is too many. There's no action, only apathy. What TV show is so important that it prevents everyone from taking action? We need positive loitering EVERY DAY—early to mid evening. "War is over (if you want it)" — "Uptown is Safe (if you want it).

    No one is on here asking what they can do/what can be done. Someone tell us. Call the alderman? Positive loitering? What is it??

    Now about the open air drug market that i walk by every morning on the SE corner of wilson and broadway. I can't be the only one that notices it, the police HAVE to notice and let it go on. I'm pledging right now, every morning i see the same dealers on that corner that i've seen sell drugs in the past, i'm calling 911. Someone back me up here. Who else sees drug dealing go on along the north side of the Currency Exchange every morning?? There's no way i'm the only one, yet who does anything about it?

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  29. It's too bad we don't have a real life Dirty Harry in the CPD. Justice for the innocent, by way of .44 magnum.

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  30. Come on "BIG GUY". Right off top I see the diffrence between you and I. I have learned the diffrent personalities that grace this blog. The low-income haters. Condo-Owners. Gun Right advocates. Helen Schiller bashers. Police advocates. Ramblers. All types of attitudes and personalities. I noticed very few people actually know 100% what they are talking about unless they witnessed an event firsthand. That is why I named myself "REAL TALK" because I talk what I know! Bottom Line. So your analogy of an Ocean front house in Ohio, sounds good to those who are looking to be amused but I am far from tickled or impressed. What I do know and will put up against a Time Share in a resort in Miami, Florida. None of the victims had gang ties to Uptown. Not saying that in their past they weren't affiliated, but not in Uptown or from that area. So I have to give you an "A" for your diligent
    effort in arguing the victims affiliation with gangs, BUT you are wrong!! It is as simple as; "Innocent people waiting on a meal to be served" that's all. Further more if I was a gang member in that area police would already know. There would be no speculation. "Maybe they have past ties to gangs. Who knows but, today at that moment they were waiting on a meal." #homeless #innocent #realtalk

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    1. Are you a cop? Are you involved in the investigation? If not, your insistence on knowing "the full truth" is a laughable joke. Fortunately, your "realtalk" nonsense comes across as fully arrogant and obviously ignorant. Shouting at the moon this early in the investigation helps NO ONE in the neighborhood. Why don't you refrain from your asinine rhetoric until CPD have released further information on the case.

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    2. You know "100%" because you said so. Uh huh. You're either willfully ignorant or covering for someone.

      Care to provide us with a motive for yesterday's incident? After all, you must know 100%. Being #realtalk and all.

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    3. Here is the "RealTalk" for ya! How's that 100% working out?

      Police say the shooting was sparked by a conflict between two gangs in that section of Uptown, and patrols have been watching for any retaliation. The shooting occurred along a Safe Passage route mapped by Chicago Public Schools for the coming year. The getaway car was also found along the route, at McCutcheon Elementary School, 4865 N. Sheridan Rd.
      Remind me again what category it is that I fall under....SMH!

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  31. @f0575....

    I know how you feel. Apathy in the city is nuts sometimes. Long time lurker and sometime commenter.

    In the RP, I have run into plenty of apathy. Its not good. Keep calling if you see it f0575.... Its the only way things will get better. Zero tolerance.

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  32. Specifically addressing the poster above mine.

    While positive loitering might deter the neighborhood gang of thieves or vandals, tonight's display clearly shows that the folks causing this kind of mass terror have no regard for who is standing on the sidewalk, stoop, or otherwise. What needs to be done is the residents need to gather and specifically demand police presence in the violence hot spots: Wilson from Magnolia to Sheridan, Lawrence from Magnolia to Sheridan, and Broadway and Sheridan Streets From Montrose to Lawrence. Only then will this senseless violence be driven back to the places it came from. I will happily join anyone who wants to show up at Cappleman's office (side note, odd there's been no comment from his office thus far on anything I've read or watched, but correct me if I'm wrong) and demand action.

    And before anyone claims its easy for me to say all this from behind a computer screen, you're darn right. I wouldn't dare go out in the streets, especially at night, until this situation calms down and everyone has a chance to process and deal with the immediate issue at hand. Let's come up with some actionable resolutions that eradicate the violence permanently.

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  33. I bet my left testicle that this won't be mentioned as anything more than a passing comment at the next CAPS meeting. At best they'll blame the homeless population and call for a mass removal of all shelters and low income housing.

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  34. Eric, delighted you want some action to address gang violence. Did you happen to make the last CAPS meeting for that beat? What was discussed at the last meeting?

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    1. @holy moly, no, I have wrestled with going to CAPS meetings because if a few reasons: 1.) I've heard/read on multiple occasions the trouble-making groups have "spotters" who go to these meetings to see who is speaking out in order to shit them up, and 2.) CAPS meetings have been going on forever and the violence continues. everyone knows what the problems are and where they occur. Take action and stop sitting around talking about what we're "going to do." If police need meetings with residents to know how to do their jobs, maybe it's time for a change in leadership. Serve and protect. That simple.

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    2. I want to make sure I have this right. You want to take action to address gang violence but you won't go to CAPS because it doesn't work.

      It's sounding like you believe the police don't know how to do their jobs. Do you mean they should have had already known there was going to be a shooting there before it happened? Other than be able to predict the future, what exactly is your expectation of the police?

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  35. PC, I'll take you up on that bet. I'll bring a sharp knife for the castration.

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  36. Sen. Kirk is proposing $19Million for Illinois to fight gang violence. Wants to bring in a Anti-Gang Coordinator.

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  37. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... This would stop tomorrow if gangs were classified as domestic terror organizations.

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  38. This is just crazy-it should not be happening at all but this is in daylight.I have lived in Uptown all my life.I remember gangs just fighting with their fists but this gun stuff is out of control.I am not saying it is right for any gangs to be here .Looks like not just the school kids need a safe zone so do the adults with all these weapons out there .

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  39. Gang members are here because their buyers are here. And to say the homeless are not a Significant portion of those buyers is being dishonest and frankly, just a lie. There should be drug testing for those accepting government benefits being paid for by average tax payers like me. Yes, I am talking about CHA housing, etc. There should also be a real push to decentralize all of the homeless shelters in Uptown and spread them around the city. Period

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    1. There is not a global war on drugs involving drug cartels and gangs all over the world and in every major city because a few homeless people buy some nickel and dime bags. The demand for drugs is all over the city/state/country/world and the demand comes from the very wealthy and upper middle class, college students, stock brokers, everyone. The homeless are hardly the problem when it comes to demand.

      Testing CHA residents is a violation of privacy, and a very slippery slope. If we start there do we also have to test every college student who receives a grant, every person who receives a loan, a federal or local grant? It's not just people in CHA that receive help from the government or could be possible drug users.

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    2. I agree with Stef. Homeless people definitely buy drugs. But they don't make up the significant portion of buyers. It might come as a shock to some but a healthy amount of buyers in uptown are the one's you would least expect...lawyer down the hall, that cute hipster across from you at dollop, or was it the soccer mom you met at the farmers market??? Some of US get high some of US don't. When Uptown is viewed as a WE and not us or them, that's when changes start to happen. Community.

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    3. I have no problem taking a drug test . Oh wait, I already have to, FOR MY JOB which pays for my mortgage and my student loans, AND all these government benefits... in fact, I already am tested to receive all those things. So yea, if you want government benefits, take a drug test. If you don't want to take a drug test, fine. You do not get any government benefits. Simple choice

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  40. @ everyone
    I'm all for positive loitering and a heavier police presence in hot spots. And those are quick high level solutions. But if we are looking for sustained results we have to realize the "why's" behind these shootings. And the main reason is simply: money. These incidents aren't from someplace, it was manifested over years and years of inequality. Truth is, a lot of these kids never had and never will get a chance. Not a Wilmette or Highland Park chance. We cannot expect these issues to be driven out of the neighborhood back to where it came from. Because these issues have been a trademark of Uptown ever since Capone used to hang out on Lawrence & Broadway. This is a trademark of the poor all over Chicago, and America.What we can do is help change the culture. Change the expectations. Level the playing field. Lets invest in the roots of Uptown. The kids. Sustained results.

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    1. Not exactly. It's the war on drugs. Supply & demand. Same as Capone and all other organized crime. Something is illegal and people want it, and gangs form as a way to supply it. It has nothing to do with poverty. The why behind gangs and shootings is the war on drugs. As long as there is a demand there will be gang/criminal activity, globally.

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    2. Hmm. Respectfully disagreeing. The sale of drugs are a means one takes to make money. The war on drugs is by the government. The war in these streets is over money. You could substitute drugs for gold or water or oil, the bottom line is money. And yes poverty has everything to do with this. I don't remember the last drive by in glencoe or winnetka??? But i can point to the englewoods, austins, humboldt parks and uptowns and show you how poverty and hunger can drive people to do irrational things.

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    3. Uptown, I agree with you 100%. This is fundamentally about poverty. The drug dealing and war on drugs is the sub-issue within the general poverty problem. On some levels, the war on drugs fuels poverty in this country.

      Anyway, I am a young professional and newcomer to Uptown and Chicago. I live in Margate Park area, on Sheridan/Foster at the border of Edgewater, just far enough north away from a lot of the Uptown craziness. I previously lived very briefly in Rogers Park, which is not much better.

      Anyway, this is all to say that this story saddens and worries me. Poverty is epidemic around this entire city (and most other major American cities) and it is, as you mentioned, the root of the violence.

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  41. Real Talk, I am just curious how you are so positive that nobody that was targeted had a gang affiliation? If you have useful information, or a source please share. But before you share it here, I hope you have contacted the authorites to help in the investgation.

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  42. The 58-year-old man shot in the hand is a friend of a friend of mine, not active in gangs, just there for a meal.

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  43. According to the email from Cappleman, 3 of the people shot are gang affiliated, and another person is friends with the gang affiliated men. However, one of the people shot was a homeless man from Uptown.

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  44. Susan, I am very sorry to hear about your friend. It seems 3 or 4 of the 5 did have gang affiliations. However, It's the victims like your friend that are the most troubling to me. An innocent victim just out for a meal at church. I hope he recovers well. And hopefully the other injured recover as well and can take this experience to change their lives.

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  45. It's mentioned from time to time, but does anyone know (of have grandparents who know) what it was like around here as far as gang violence in the prohibition/Al Capone days? I wonder often how what is going on today compares in the scope of violence. People don't seem to realize that for several decades Uptown was considered one of the worst and most dangerous neighborhoods in the country.

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    1. Uptown has never even been close to being one of "the worst and most dangerous neighborhoods in the country."

      It was a beach resort neighborhood, of the very wealthy, and when it became more a part of the north side of the city It's been a culturally diverse neighborhood, with very wealthy areas and areas with low-income housing. The well kept mansions districts and a tony private country club are hardly things one would find in the most dangerous neighborhood in the country.

      Most of the violence during prohibition happened in Lincoln Park, and other neighborhoods south of us. There are several sources of information and documentaries about this time, and Chicago crime tours you can take to learn more.

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    2. Actually Stef in from say 1965 to say 1990 or so Uptown was a downright dangerous hood. Now the complexion of the gangs varied during that time, but there were lots of them. Appalachians, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Blacks, American Indians and all the various permutations therein. Toss in the "native" white population and Uptown was largely a multiracial ghetto where life was nasty, brutish and short.

      Plus the "Mountain Irish" were some of the most violent people in the city during that time. Shootings, stabbings, arson for profit and a whole variety of lesser crimes were a daily occurrence.

      Here's a politically incorrect story called "HillBillies in Uptown" from 1958.

      Our bangers today are downright slackers compared to some of the earlier Uptown residents of the criminally inclined persuasion.

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    3. 1/2 I understand our neighborhood's history. But it's never been "one of the worst and most dangerous neighborhoods in the country." Not even back in it's most rusty days. There has always been an incredibly wealthy population here. Our mansion districts have never suffered from neglect or abandonment. They have always been populated by their home owners, never turned into multi-unit buildings during economic hard times, never neglected or abandoned. The saddle & cycle club has been the cities most tony and private country club since 1895. It's never left the neighborhood. There is a lot of wealth here and a dense area of low income housing, conveniently situated along the lake, creating an interesting, to say the very least, mix of problems. But if this were ever a "bad" neighborhood, I can't imagine the saddle & cycle club would have maintained it's space, nor would have our historic mansion districts. I don't know of any other neighborhood to have so many, so well maintained, with residents living in them for as long as they have. Uptown isn't perfect, and it's had quite a past, and it's easy to dwell on the negatives; but we've got some really great real estate here, a really great community, a very involved community and people working, actively, to always make it better. No neighborhood in the city, or any other city, is free of it's problems, with crime or gang activity. There are gang problems and have been in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, take a walk and see the tagging. It's happening on Michigan Ave, in the gold cost, in the burbs, in small towns everywhere. We happen to be a neighborhood with a good blog and we pay attention to our media, are active and engaged. Shootings happen everywhere. Gangs are in small towns and big cities, there are gang shootings at malls in Champaign, and in Indianapolis, St. Louis. Historically, Uptown was a very wealthy neighborhood, and that has remained for the most part. Past leadership has allowed for a concentration of low-income housing in a concentrated part of this neighborhood. I think low-income housing should be equally distributed throughout the city for the better of all people and yes, maybe lower crime rates. But when you look at Uptown as a whole, throughout it's history, what's remained and who lives here, look at the demographics, you'll see a stable, very upper middle class neighborhood. The types of problems we face are happening in Lincoln Park and on Chicago & Michigan Ave. I just don't see any active neighborhood blogs there, nor an active media wanting to scare tourists. I've lived in Old Town before I moved here, and I've lived here for about 10 years, and I've never felt scared for my home or myself. In Old Town, there are muggings, all of the time, home break-ins. It's not a perfect neighborhood, but I've never felt scared here, not for my home, not myself, nor for my son.

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    4. 2/2 We've got one of the best communities I've ever seen in the city. Everyone says that when they come here, everyone knows each other, we've got real neighbors, shop owners who know us, librarians who know us, cafe owners who know us, all of us, and always look out for us. Uptown may have had some rusty years, but this is the most diverse neighborhood I can think of in the city, from Irving Park to Andersonville, with the best food and people on the planet. I've never been scared walking to the red line, never worried, and never felt like there wasn't someone I would I know on the streets to talk to. We have famous residents, who have lived here through it all, a mayor who fought to move back to Uptown, even if it is on the edge of our neighborhood boundaries. We can focus on the bad, which exists in all neighborhoods, or we can see the whole, and the whole past, and the whole future. Uptown is a place to call home, a rich, interesting place. Like many others, with a vivid and rich history. We can't forget this when something tragic like this happens. It's happened at the taste, all over our city and many others, all over the country. And maybe this is the exact right time to debate our gun laws. It's not a time to try to blame our amazing neighborhood and the people in it and it's fascinating history.

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    5. Stef how can you never have been scared? I look at your old posts and you have a child. You said there was a shooting by their window back in 2008.

      That child must go toschool in uptown now. Don't you worry about them walking there? The history of the neighborhood is good but can't protect kids on the way to school.

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  46. doesn't matter if they were affiliated or not. this shooting happened a block from my 5 year olds school. right at the time i would be passing from picking him up. there is a day care just a few blocks away. this is just not ok. caps meeting tonight chase park. different beat, but i would be shocked if this did not come up.

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  47. My only point is the people were innocent. Innocent to any happenings in Uptown other than a meal. They had gang ties? To the West/Southside. Not to Uptown. They were innocent. Not every shooting is Gang related. Well this shooting was not. Mistaken Identity is a better classification. Do not vilify the victims justifying their shooting with allege gang ties. THEY WERE INNOCENT. Now we should Pray for Gods Mercy on thier healing and Gods Grace and power for the ones clinging to LIFE. L-I-F-E a beautiful description not Gang ties, Gang Affiliation, Homeless or any other word that has describe these victims. They were innocent and they deserve to LIVE.

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    1. Why don't you change your name from RealTalk to RealBullshit?

      So these bangers came from the south and west sides for the meal at Uptown Baptist? Either they make some exceptionally good food there OR they have some amazin' Churchin' goin' on. Praise JP Paulus and pass the ketchup.

      As for the homeless victim I'm sorry he got shot. As for the others while I would have preferred they not be shot, I'm glad it was them and not some kid or innocent bystander.

      Now the citywide gangs with Uptown affiliates have been calling in reinforcements from outside our lovely ward. I'd have to say the chances of these three being such reinforcements is high.

      Of course it's possible to be both victim and victimizer at the same time.

      In any case with three bangers hospitalized and three others in custody I'd have to say that it's not been a good day for bangers in Uptown. It wasn't a good day for Uptown either, but hopefully the one or possibly two innocents involved will recover and the actual bangers.......well........let's just say that if some of them pass on to their otherworldly reward or spend a good hunk of time in prison I will be ok with that.

      Now as to the injured bangers who survive I hope they learn their lesson and change their lifestyle. Bangers generally end up in prison, paralyzed, or in an early grave.

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    2. Wow. RealTalk is still trying to call his bullshit "Real" I have said this before and will say it again....go sell crazy somewhere else, we are all full here. I have to think at this point that you are nothing more than an old troll with nothing better to do than post mindless comments on blogs for entertainment. I would like to think that any normal person would not be the clueless

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    3. "Not every shooting is Gang related." Right....just upwards of 90% of them are in Chicago.

      Again...."RealTalk" is either willfully ignorant or of the same mindset as the families of these pieces of human debris often are.

      He ain't no gang member. He was just about to turn his life around!

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  48. Thank you, oldmanuptown. I'm happy to report it was a very, very minor injury, not causing him much pain at all, and his hand will heal with no permanent effects. I think the trauma and fright of the situation was much worse than the physical injury.

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  49. Oh, WOW!! You guys live up to the expectations. VERY ANGRY, people. If I we held this conversation face to face @Big Guy. I could almost guarantee you would be a little more respectful. 95% chance. Another thing I know (REAL TALK) You don't know Sh** about the gangs or there deployment. The "GANGS" of today don't have that type of structure to "deploy" members. Are you KIDDING me? These young dudes are about their CLIQUES. Yes they are "CLIQUES" now. Deployment, LMAO!! "BIG GUY" You are hilarious this not the 1980's or 90's and we are not talking about the ARMY. DEPLOY?? I said it before and will say it again "REAL TALK" the victims were innocent with NO! NO! ties to any criminalized behavior in Uptown. When Gang Bangers get shot their Gang Banger Buddies huddle around the crime scene Angry. Look at the video footage there is a bunch of homeless people huddle up and getting interviewed. There were homosexuals screaming and hollering over the guy who is clinging to LIFE!! They had Gang ties BUT at least two of the men were raised in DCFS together. So we can pretty much lay out their background. They may have GANG ties, BUT they wasn't tied to UPTOWN. They were innocent!! I'm sorry to upset you or the "POWERS to BE" SO go ahead scratch your head come up with a crafty response to entertain your audience here on UPTOWN UPDATE. In the end the fact will remain the same in UPTOWN they were innocent!!

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    1. Gang affiliations are gang affiliations. I don't see how those affiliations being rooted in another neighborhood makes them innocent the moment they cross into Uptown. Since they weren't gang banging at that very moment, they were just innocent bystanders? Not buying it.

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    2. Real talk, What's your uptown background?

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    3. Real Bullshit Talk, I have lived in Uptown starting in 1984. That makes 30 years. I think you are an idiot and a troll trying to get people to argue. This is 100% COMPLETELY a Legacy of SHILLER and her hoodlums, her staff, and her Shitlerista's. When the pile of Human Trash is 22 years in the making, it takes a while to throw it all out.

      I am amused how our friends down the block that encourage gangbangers and have a bunch hanging out in front of their 'skate' shop are so quiet. Oh yea, they have that whole child molestation accusations thing to work on.. cant wait for that film to be released and the Feds come knocking on their door..

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  50. LOL, wow so now you think you're a "real" tough guy. I assure you I wouldn't show any more respect than what is earned...which is zero. That being said, the topic is not about calling you names, it's about a shooting in uptown. You clearly think you know more than the police, the alderman, the people who witnessed this, so logic is going to fail us here. You are entitled to you opinion, be it right or wrong. Thanks for yours, but I will stick to people who do this every day for a living. As far as your senseless kick about deployment, unless I missed something, I never once used that word, nor would I have....but if you can find it any of my posts, please, by all means, let me know.

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  51. Looks like they also need more police walking the beat with bullet proof vests on of course. Alot of this is nothing to do with drugs-just a bunch of punks wanting to claim certain areas. I would bet half these jerks are not even from this area to start with.

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  52. I thought the McDonald's security would prevent this type of mayhem? I'm sure this violence will decrease sales in that excellent grocery store. I agree with "Realtalk" as the gang structure has broken down & it's a bunch of teens and late 20yr old "money cliques" fighting for drug turf.

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  53. Real Talk, seems to me like Ald. Cappleman has, through his statement, vindicated what you have been saying all along. You said that if the victims had gang ties, they weren't to Uptown. The Alderman says they have ties to West and South side gangs, not Uptown gangs. So you were right, according to Cappleman, and Big Guy and the others criticizing you are wrong. Though I am curious as to what you think brought these folks to Uptown from the west and south sides and what do you mean when you emphasize that they were innocent victims? I would suggest that every victim of a gun shot is an innocent victim unless they were in the act of trying to hurt someone else. But I also wonder if you mean to say these guys with no ties to Uptown gangs but ties to South and West gangs weren't targeted by the shooters and were just random victims. Because while they might be "innocent" victims, I think it is likely that one or more of them WERE the intended target(s) of the shooter.

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  54. I'm sorry, but who really gives a flying f#@% where the hell there pieces of trash are from? This is what we know...3 were gang members and one was an innocent bystander. PERIOD! The three gang members are just that.....gang members, NOT innocent bystanders. Just because at that exact moment they happened to be doing nothing wrong, do you really think that they hadn't done anything in the past?? I don't care if they are from BFE, the fact that they did the deed here means they have connections to Uptown. Really, does the fact that they are from the south and west mean we have to worry any less??? UGH! It is beyond me how this matters....at all!

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  55. Sean.....If you actually read my post's, I never....let me repeat it....never argued that those hit were from Uptown. I argued that this shooting was gang related....which, most of us with any common sense, already knew. I didn't challenge realtalk when he said they were from other parts of the city because it wasn't relevant. Not even a little bit. So no, I was not wrong...not even close. Actually, you are.

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  56. When I say they were innocent victims. From my knowledge the victims did not have any ties to Uptown Gangs. The guys were either waiting on a meal or just served a meal from Uptown Baptist. I am not basing facts on Ald. Cappleman or The Superintendant of Police. I live in Uptown and unlike most of my critics here on Uptown Update, I get out and talk to the young men in this neighborhood. Wilson and Sheridan. Wilson and Magnolia. Lawrence and Sheridan. Desperately trying to make a change "One Life at a time". That is how I know these guys WERE NOT the intended target. At best this incident was mistaken identity. #REALTALK. I mean I hate to sound stereo-typical but very few African American males are absent some sort of "gang-ties". If I am walking down the street with a known Gang Banger. The police pull us both over and if I have never been involved in a gang, the police does a "Contact Card" I am listed as being with this known Gang member or self-proclaimed gang member and theres my "Gang tie". ALot of comments I read on Uptown Update are far fetched from reality or everyday norm. If you bought a Condo in this area. Do you own property in Uptown? I challenge you to take to the streets. Get to know your neighborhood. Not "Positive Loitering". Get to know the people who occupy the streets of your neighborhood. Once you are able to do this. I believe the the solution to your urban warfare will become clear. What is the solution you may ask? I'll let you ponder on that for a moment or two, but its not getting rid of section 8. We don't want to de-fund assistance to the homeless or mentally incompetent. You first must realize that you are "NO BETTER" than that young man who occupies the street corners of Uptown. I have been called an "Old Troll" on here but actually I can wager a bet that I am alot younger than most of the comm enters on this blog. I have public obligation to reach out and hopefully save one of those young men from becoming the next victim. I sat in Mc Donalds today and ate a value meal. Wondering to myself. Do @Big Guy have the "BALLS" to do this. I walked up on several young men on Sheridan in the strip mall and talk about the value of LIFE. @oldmanuptown you have been here since the 70's how many times have you done that?? Only way to bring PEACE to your community. Get off the blogs with your degrading remarks and into your community. #REALTALK

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    1. @RealTalk While I agree with many of the points you made above, the phrase "mentally incompetent" and the fact that you believe sitting in a Mcdonald's makes you strong or more connected to the streets simply reveals that you have a superiority complex regarding your importance or knowledge of the issues facing the neighborhood and the troubled youths within it. Speaking as a mental health professional who works with many of the troubled youths of Uptown, as well as the surrounding area, I can guarantee that if your comments on UU are an accurate reflection of how you view yourself and relate to young people on street corners, then your ability to inspire change is...well...negatively effected. Your rhetoric on UU as well as your apparent self-importance are a direct contradiction to your claims of being "NO BETTER than that young man who occupies the street corner." Be empathic. Believe you are no better than those you help. But please #RealTalk, check your ego and air of self-importance and superior knowledge at the door. It really only hurts the situation in which you seemingly claim to help.

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  57. Apparently the posters on this board have learned not a dam thing about WHO is really in control of the situations. American Drug War:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CyuBuT_7I4
    Mike Ruppert - CIA and Drug Running:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rFWDHQcIG8



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  58. N.B. -- If you want to discuss topics, great!

    If you want to post for the sole purpose of slinging mud at other posters, go away. Your insults won't be put through.

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  59. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  60. @RealTalk I have never said I've been here since the 70's (I wasn't alive in the 70's. My handle is based on a family joke about my age/appearance). I have been in uptown for 6 years, and frequently speak to many people in our neighborhood in an effort have positive interactions with as many people as possible, and I encourage my friends/family to do the same. I simply do not have a high tolerance for those who cause my neighborhood/home (where I support a family of four) to be an usafe/less desirable place to live. It's funny, I have made NO assumptions about you, or accused you of anything, yet you make such assumptions about me...#wrongtalk

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  61. Found an interesting blog post on this subject.
    http://jchmarketingchicago.com/five-innocent-victims-shot-chicagos-uptown-neighborhood/

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  62. I would like to ask ONE simple question. WHY hasn't anyone been caught AND charged in this heinous crime when there are MULTIPLE cameras in the DIRECT area .
    Or is this more propaganda & B.S. that's being fed to the uptown community. @ please correct me of I'm wrong in case I've missed something.

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