Girl, 15, shot outside school in Chatham
Shooting occurs at the beginning of the school day
A 15-year-old student was shot outside her high school in Chatham on Tuesday morning, fire department and school sources said.
The shooting happened at the beginning of the school day around 7:40 a.m. outside Perspectives High School of Technology and Leadership Academy, 8522 S. Lafayette St. The girl was walking outside the school when a black sedan pulled up, two men got out and opened fire, according to Chicago police. They returned to the car and fled southbound, police said.
The girl was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in fair condition. No other injuries were reported.
School placed on soft lockdown
The school was placed on a soft lockdown, according to Perspectives spokesperson Holly Copeland. An investigation has begun, and the school is working with the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Public Schools. She said counseling services are available for students.
“Our thoughts are with the students, their families, and all those impacted by this tragic incident,” Copeland said in a statement.
Community reacts to the shooting
At least a dozen evidence markers were visible between the back section of the school and near the intersection of 85th Street and Lafayette Avenue as officers continued to work the scene hours after the shooting.
The girl’s relatives declined to talk about the shooting.
Dozens of parents and guardians scrambled to Perspectives Leadership Academy to pick up their loved ones once they got word of the shooting.
“I had multiple things running through my head,” Michael Johnson, 36, said as his three kids stood beside him. “My first instinct was to just come get them.”
Johnson’s 15-year-old daughter, Toriyonna Hollingsworth, said she saw the girl on the ground as officers surrounded her.
“It makes me feel weird and stuff because that is not OK,” said Toriyonna, a sophomore. “She’s coming to learn and something bad [happened to her].”
Some students and parents were visibly shaken by the shooting.
“It’s devastating,” said Gretta Austin, 38, as she stood beside her daughter, a first-year student. “I’m praying for those who have been affected today. I pray for the family over and over.”
“I’m getting a transfer,” one student yelled as she walked away from the school.
Anti-violence advocate Donovan Price was at the school to console parents and students and highlighted the mental toll the shooting takes on the community.
“It’s not as bad as it could be, however, you got trauma ramifications,” Price said. “When parents drop their kids off at school, they think about this every day.”
Conclusion
The shooting outside Perspectives High School of Technology and Leadership Academy is a stark reminder of the violence that plagues many communities in Chicago. As the city and its residents continue to grapple with the consequences of gun violence, it is essential that we come together to support those affected and work towards creating a safer and more just society for all.
FAQs
Q: What happened outside Perspectives High School of Technology and Leadership Academy?
A: A 15-year-old girl was shot outside the school by two men who got out of a black sedan and fired at her.
Q: What is the condition of the girl who was shot?
A: She was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in fair condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
Q: Is the school on lockdown?
A: Yes, the school was placed on a soft lockdown as a precautionary measure following the shooting.
Q: What is being done to investigate the shooting?
A: The Chicago Police Department is leading the investigation, and the school is working with the department and Chicago Public Schools to ensure the safety of students and staff.
