Since Friday evening, Chicago has experienced a series of shootings resulting in at least seven deaths and 38 injuries, police report. This surge in violence has led President Donald Trump to reiterate his call for military intervention in Chicago, the nation’s third-largest city.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday morning, Trump questioned why Governor Pritzker hasn’t sought his assistance, claiming he could vastly improve the city’s safety. The office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who may run for president as a Democrat in 2028, has consistently opposed Trump’s calls for military intervention and did not immediately provide a comment.
During Trump’s presidency, National Guard troops have been deployed to assist with crime-fighting in several Democrat-led cities like New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee. Meanwhile, Chicago Police Department data indicates a minor increase in shooting incidents compared to last year’s first half, though violent crime has decreased in alignment with national trends over recent years.
Preliminary details from Chicago police reveal at least two dozen shooting incidents since 5 p.m. Friday. Victims included a 21-year-old shot in the chest on Sunday, an 18-year-old shot on Saturday evening, and a 50-year-old shot on Friday.
On Friday evening, a shooting involving an SUV left at least 12 individuals injured. The victims, ranging from 17 to 47 years old, were taken to four hospitals. One man with unknown injuries declined medical treatment. This incident occurred on Juneteenth, a day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.
Earlier the same day, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed visitors to his presidential center on the South Side of Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the shootings, emphasizing that violence should not mar moments intended for community and celebration. He also assured that those responsible would be held accountable.
Other U.S. cities also experienced acts of gun violence over the weekend. In Philadelphia, there were two fatalities and two injuries reported on Sunday morning. Cincinnati witnessed a shooting on Saturday evening, resulting in three deaths. Meanwhile, Kansas City police investigated a Friday evening shooting that left one dead and five injured.
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