Chicago crime: 14-year-old boy Armani Floyd killed in Loop shootings, 8 injured; Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks out | ABC7 EXCLUSIVE
A 14-year-old boy who was killed Friday night during downtown Chicago shootings in the Loop that left eight others injured has now been identified.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sat down exclusively with ABC7 on Sunday to talk about the recent violence.
Chicago police said seven teens ranging in age from 13 to 17 were shot in the Loop Friday night . A separate shooting nearby left a teen dead and a man injured, officials said.
More large crowds gathered Saturday night , and more are expected in downtown Chicago through the rest of the year as many people begin to celebrate the holiday season. Now, along with the festive mood, there are some concerns about safety.
Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city had been monitoring for possible "teen takeovers" downtown after seeing a social post days ago.
The shootings happened during a very busy night downtown, after the city held its official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony .
The first shooting unfolded before 10 p.m., just steps away from ABC7's State Street studios. ABC7 crews heard the shots.
Police said they spotted a large group on the sidewalk in the 100 block of North State Street when shots rang out, and the group scattered. The chaotic scene played out in front of the Chicago Theater. Bystanders were also taking cover.
Most of victims were listed in good condition, and they were expected to recover, police said.
About an hour later, Chicago police said they responded to a shooting near Dearborn and Monroe. Officers said two people were shot around 10:40 p.m. in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street.
One of the male victims was taken to Northwestern Hospital and later died. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has now identified them as 14-year-old Armani Floyd.
The second victim is an 18-year-old man who was shot in the leg and was listed in serious condition, CPD said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson also spoke on the shootings during an event Saturday morning.
"It is quite frankly frustrating, and quite upsetting when this type of violence takes place because it does engender and evoke fear," Johnson said. "So we will have a strong police presence. We'll have stronger control over how traffic flows."
The mayor says city officials got wind of some social media posts about a possible "teen takeover" downtown and had been working for the last few days to try to stop it from happening.
"There was a communication that was delivered to CPS to encourage young people not to participate in these unauthorized gatherings," Johnson said. "We had 700 additional officers on top of the First Police District present. We had CVI workers were out there as well."
Community violence interrupter Pastor Donovan Price says teens need supervision, especially in large crowds.
"Bring some family with you," Price said. "Bring mom, auntie, bring somebody with you an adult with you and just watch out. Be careful, and I'll pray for you."
Authorities said 18 people were arrested Friday night for curfew violations and various assaults. CPD said no suspects related to the shootings are in custody.
Chicago police said the following victims were shot in the State Street incident:
-A 14-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the stomach and is listed in good condition at Lurie Children's hospital.
-A 15-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the left thigh and is listed in good condition at Stroger hospital.
-A 17-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the left thigh and is listed in good condition at Stroger hospital.
-A 14-year-old girl sustained a gunshot wound to the right hip and is listed in good condition at Lurie Children's hospital.
-A 16-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is listed in good condition at Northwestern hospital.
-A 14-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is listed in good condition at Lurie Children's hospital.
-A 13-year-old girl sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is listed in fair condition at Lurie Children's hospital.
Police have not said if the two shootings are connected. So far, no one is custody in either shooting.
Chicago police plan on deploying an additional 300 officers on top of the already 700 assigned to cover weekend festivities. City officials said they are continuing to monitor the downtown area for unusual activity.
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