Incident Overview

A man was shot while boarding a CTA bus in Chatham on Thursday afternoon, according to Chicago police.

Shooting Details

Two men standing on the sidewalk in the 7900 block of South Drexel Avenue shot a 20-year-old man as he boarded the bus at 1:10 p.m., police said. He was shot in his back and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition.

Investigation and Response

No one was in custody. CTA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. At the scene, a curbed CTA bus sat at the corner of 79th Street and Drexel surrounded by police cars, crime scene tape and a number of violence interrupters who also responded. Two shell casings were designated by evidence markers outside the bus door, and a bullet hole remained outlined in the shattered partition between the driver and riders as it hung open.

Eyewitness Account

Kae Sumlar said she heard a gunshot from inside her apartment a half-block from the scene but didn’t see the shooting or its aftermath. A two-year resident of the block and four-year resident of the neighborhood, she said it wasn’t surprising, as shootings always hit the area as temperatures rise for the year.

Neighborhood Concerns

“There’s always a bunch of shootings at this corner, and it’s getting warmer,” she said. “Unfortunately, living in this neighborhood, this is what comes with the good weather.” Sumlar said she’s saving up to move to the suburbs, likely Calumet City or Dolton, to get away from it. Affordability is what brought her to the block. “I definitely want to move,” she said. “I just need to get away from this.”

Conclusion

The shooting of a 20-year-old man while boarding a CTA bus in Chatham highlights the ongoing issue of violence in certain neighborhoods of Chicago. As temperatures rise, so does the concern for safety among residents, who are often forced to weigh the affordability of their neighborhoods against the risks associated with living there.

FAQs

• Q: Where did the shooting occur?
  A: The shooting occurred in the 7900 block of South Drexel Avenue in Chatham.
• Q: What time did the shooting happen?
  A: The shooting happened at 1:10 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.
• Q: What is the condition of the victim?
  A: The victim, a 20-year-old man, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition.
• Q: Have any arrests been made?
  A: No, no one was in custody at the time of the report.
• Q: How has the community reacted to the shooting?
  A: Residents like Kae Sumlar express a desire to move away from the area due to the frequent shootings, especially as the weather warms up.