Investigation Underway After First New Year Shooting Reported in Chicago
Chicago police are currently investigating the first reported shooting of the new year, which occurred about 90 minutes into 2026. This timing is unusual in Chicago, where shootings typically occur shortly after midnight. As of now, at least four other shooting incidents have been reported since the start of the year, with further investigation needed to determine the official first criminal shooting of 2026.
The primary candidate for this unfortunate distinction is a 43-year-old man who was injured after attending a New Year’s celebration at a South Loop nightclub. The man sought medical help at Jackson Park Hospital, where he explained that he had been on South Michigan Avenue around 1:30 a.m. when he was struck by gunfire in his lower right leg. He is currently in fair condition.
Another incident occurred around 2 a.m. when a witness flagged down Chicago police in the 800 block of South Michigan Avenue, reporting that a man had accidentally shot himself inside an apartment building. The 37-year-old man was taken to Northwestern Hospital with a gunshot wound to his upper right thigh and is in fair condition. Self-inflicted gunshot wounds are not considered criminal acts in Chicago’s annual shooting statistics.
Shortly after, at 2:43 a.m., a 33-year-old man was shot in the hand while standing outside in South Shore. He was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital and is in good condition. Another shooting took place around 3:24 a.m. in Back of the Yards, where a 22-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were shot by unknown offenders. Both victims sustained injuries but are in good condition.
Determining the official first shooting victim of the year may take time as additional information is gathered. In previous years, the first shooting has occurred as early as midnight on New Year’s Day or as late as 4 a.m. Since 2001, there have been instances where the first shooting occurred more than 90 minutes into the new year, with 2005, 2015, and 2014 being notable examples.
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