Woman Dies After 911 Caller Gives Incorrect Address in Washington Park Shooting
On Friday night, Chicago police and paramedics took 16 minutes to locate a woman who was shot in Washington Park. The delay was due to the only 911 caller providing an incorrect address, according to dispatch records.
The incident occurred in the 5400 block of South Prairie, an area previously covered by the city’s ShotSpotter gunfire detection system, which was deactivated by Mayor Brandon Johnson last September.
At 9:38 p.m., a dispatcher directed officers to the 5300 block of South Indiana based on a 911 call reporting a shooting. Despite searching the area and speaking with residents, no evidence of a shooting was found. Without any “shots fired” reports and the absence of ShotSpotter, officers had to rely solely on the caller’s information.
It wasn’t until 9:52 p.m. that a second 911 caller reported a woman bleeding and unresponsive on a sidewalk in the 5400 block of South Prairie, one block away from the initial location. When officers arrived, they found the 20-year-old victim next to a single shell casing and a can of mace. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to preliminary investigations, the woman was involved in an altercation before the shooting. Witnesses described a possible suspect as a 25-year-old man, approximately 6’1” tall, wearing gray pants and a white t-shirt. No arrests have been made in connection to the incident.
The shooting took place in Ald. Pat Dowell’s ward. Despite being a supporter of ShotSpotter, Dowell broke ranks with the mayor last year to keep the system active, citing its effectiveness in alerting police to gunfire incidents.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to dismantle ShotSpotter has faced criticism from many, including aldermen, citizens, and victims advocates. The system, which provided precise locations of suspected gunfire, could have played a crucial role in incidents like this where 911 callers provide inaccurate information.
As of September 23, 2024, Chicago terminated its relationship with ShotSpotter, despite pleas to reconsider the decision. CWBChicago continues to track incidents where ShotSpotter could have made a difference in locating victims of gun violence.
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