(LibertySociety.com) – A recent report shows gun violence is to blame for the high rate of juvenile deaths in Chicago. So far this year, shootings resulting in wounded youths ages 17 and under topped 409 victims compared to 360 in 2020. Chicago police also noted at least 54 kids in the same age group died from a shooting in 2021, compared to about the same number the previous year.
Sadly, 16 of the youths killed were in elementary or middle school.
Chicago students are dying at a record rate due to rampant gun violence, as a startling number of juveniles perish in shootings even before reaching high school, according to a report. https://t.co/ym3q2xmK1V
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) December 21, 2021
Principal Tracey Stelly of Lavizzo Elementary School recently led a town hall meeting to help the local community process their outrage and grief over 14-year-old Kevin Tinker, who was gunned down on the sidewalk in November. A suspect shot his mother just a few days later. Stelly also created “safe rooms” in her school, where her students could express their sadness over the loss.
Football coach Darryl Smith stated the deaths are “just like a broken record” because they happen so often in the area.
On December 20, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) asked the federal government for assistance in the city’s battle against shootings and homicides. In a recent speech, she said Chicago can’t continue to “endure the level of violence” seen now in the Windy City.
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