The streets of Englewood were rattled last night when three men attempted to rob a 72-year-old man, ultimately shooting him in the left shin. The victim, in fair condition, was left waiting for help as no one called 911 to report the incident. Unfortunately, the neighborhood’s ShotSpotter system had been disconnected by Mayor Brandon Johnson the previous year, leaving residents vulnerable to such crimes.
Police in the Deering District heard gunshots around 1:16 a.m. near Ashland and Garfield and spotted three suspects fleeing the scene. A foot pursuit ensued, but the men managed to escape. It wasn’t until 1:25 a.m. that a 911 caller reported a man screaming outside in the 5600 block of South Justine, just a block away from where the suspects were last seen.
The victim recounted the harrowing encounter with the robbers, describing three Black males, one of whom was notably tall. This description matched the suspects pursued by the police. It took a total of nine minutes from the time of the shooting until first responders arrived on the scene, highlighting the crucial role that ShotSpotter could have played in alerting authorities sooner.
Despite efforts from Ald. Stephanie Coleman and other city leaders to raise funds to keep ShotSpotter active, Mayor Johnson remained firm in his decision to dismantle the system. Coleman expressed disappointment in the lack of a sound detection system to aid CPD in saving lives in violence-impacted neighborhoods like Englewood.
The termination of Chicago’s relationship with ShotSpotter on September 23, 2024, has had far-reaching consequences, leaving communities vulnerable to gun violence without the crucial technology in place. The “Brandon’s Bodies” reporting series aims to shed light on cases where gunshot detection technology could have made a difference in police investigations and aiding victims.
As the city grapples with the aftermath of this latest incident, the need for effective crime-fighting tools like ShotSpotter remains a pressing concern for residents and city officials alike. The question remains: will Mayor Johnson reconsider his decision in light of the ongoing violence plaguing Chicago’s neighborhoods?
