Chicago South Side Shooting Leaves Young Man Critically Wounded

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A 25-year-old man was critically injured in a shooting early Friday morning in Chicago’s Calumet Heights neighborhood. Authorities say the man was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head along South Stony Island Avenue, as police continue to investigate the incident.

According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), officers responded to a call of shots fired at approximately 1:27 a.m. in the 9100 block of South Stony Island Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim lying unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency medical services transported him to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.

CPD has not released the victim’s identity, citing ongoing efforts to notify next of kin. Investigators from Area Two, which covers Chicago’s Far South Side, are handling the case. No arrests have been made, and police have not identified a suspect or motive as of Friday afternoon.

The shooting occurred near a business corridor, raising concern among residents and business owners about the increasing risk of violent crime in areas that have historically been considered more stable than other South Side neighborhoods. Though Calumet Heights has not experienced the same volume of crime seen in neighboring communities, incidents like this reflect a broader trend of gun violence that continues to impact Chicago.

While CPD data shows a modest year-over-year decrease in homicides, non-fatal shootings remain a significant concern. So far in 2025, Chicago has recorded over 1,200 shooting incidents, with a majority occurring in the city’s South and West Side neighborhoods. Law enforcement officials attribute much of the violence to the proliferation of illegal firearms, gang-related activity, and retaliatory disputes.

City leaders have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to public safety. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling have promoted a multi-pronged strategy that includes community-based policing, investment in violence prevention programs, and strengthening partnerships between the police and residents. Despite these efforts, the frequency and severity of incidents like the Calumet Heights shooting continue to expose critical gaps in enforcement and community trust.

Local stakeholders have advocated for more visible law enforcement, especially in commercial zones and residential blocks that are vulnerable during overnight hours. Proposals have included improved lighting infrastructure, increased police patrols, and better support for neighborhood watch groups. Some community organizations have also urged city leaders to focus more aggressively on disrupting the illegal gun trade and prosecuting repeat violent offenders.

In the meantime, CPD has not indicated whether there is any connection between this shooting and other recent incidents in the area.

Law enforcement is currently reviewing video footage from nearby surveillance cameras in hopes of identifying any suspects or vehicles involved in the shooting. 

Detectives are encouraging members of the public who may have witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.