Federal Government offers assistance to Chicago police after weekend violence
Chicago saw at least 44 shooting incidents and 8 deaths over the holiday weekend. Now, the federal government is offering help to the city in the fight to end violence in the streets.
Monday night, two teen boys were wounded — one critically — in a shooting in the South Shore neighborhood. The two boys, ages 14 and 16, were standing on the sidewalk in the 1600 block of East 69th Street about 9:35 p.m. when they heard shots ring out and felt pain, police said.
They were both taken to Comer Children’s Hospital. The 14-year-old was shot in the back and listed in critical condition, while the 16-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the upper right thigh, police said.
Earlier this year, the federal government created a special violent crimes section as part of the restructuring of their office. That means 16 prosecutors from the narcotics and gang section will focus on how to use statutes and gun laws to go after people terrorizing the streets of Chicago.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he doesn’t have all of the details yet, but is pleased that the feds are coming the help the city tame its violence.
The special division will be headed by a U.S. Attorney who used to be a Cook County prosecutor. He is very familiar with the city’s police department.
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