Introduction to the Incident
A City Council member is calling for the closure of a bar he says has a history of fights, weapons violations and gang activity after an early morning drive-by shooting that left three men and a woman wounded in the Gold Coast neighborhood. About 3:50 a.m., at least one assailant inside an Acura sedan opened fire while at the intersection of Dearborn and Division streets — hitting four people on a sidewalk, Chicago police said.
Details of the Shooting
As the car fled south on Dearborn paramedics were called to 21 W. Division St., outside the Lodge Tavern, where the four victims were found, police and the fire department said. Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) said a staffer from the Lodge called 911 but the incident may be tied to an establishment called Gold Coast Social, 7 W. Division St., which is about 120 feet from the Lodge. That section along Division Street is home to several late-night bars and taverns.
Connection to Gold Coast Social
Witnesses reported the female shooting victim had just walked out of Gold Coast Social before she was shot, according to Hopkins, who is calling on Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling to issue a summary closure for the spot, citing a “long history of 911 calls” there. A representative for Gold Coast Social did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon and a Lodge staffer declined to elaborate.
History of Incidents at Gold Coast Social
According to Hopkins, the “initial evidence” from Friday’s shooting was “strong enough to justify” closure. “There’s just a constant stream of calls for fights, weapons violations, gang activity… It’s a problem spot,” Hopkins said of Gold Coast Social. The four victims, all in good condition, were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, police said.
Victim Injuries
A 22-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the right leg, a 60-year-old man was shot in the left thigh, a 45-year-old man was shot in the right foot and a 24-year-old man was shot in the right forearm, police said.
Eyewitness Accounts
Doria Goll was asleep at her apartment with her husband and dog a few buildings from where the shooting happened when she was startled by around 15 shots. “At first we were like, ‘there’s no way it could be gunshots because there were so many,’” Goll, 29, said. Goll, who has lived in the area for over a year, said the area “gets pretty rowdy because of the bars” but dies down in the fall.
Reaction from Local Residents
Quentin Harlem saw police activity as he walked into work at Gotham Bagels, 1212 N. Dearborn St., Friday morning and initially thought a television or movie scene was being filmed before learning of what happened. “I wasn’t expecting anything like that to happen out here,” Harlem, 23, said. I know things like that can happen anywhere but it’s just crazy it’s like right here and it could’ve happened to me if I was walking to work or coming home.”
Investigation and Aftermath
Earlier several buses were rerouted due to the attack. No arrests have been made. Area 3 detectives are investigating. Chicago police investigate Friday morning in the 1100 block of North Dearborn Street, after authorities said a woman and three men were wounded in a drive-by shooting overnight on the Gold Coast neighborhood block.
Conclusion
The drive-by shooting in the Gold Coast neighborhood has raised concerns about safety and the potential for gang activity in the area. The call for the closure of Gold Coast Social by Ald. Brian Hopkins highlights the need for increased scrutiny of establishments with a history of incidents. As the investigation continues, residents and visitors alike are left to wonder about the future of safety in the area.
FAQs
- Q: How many people were injured in the shooting?
A: Four people, including a woman and three men, were wounded in the drive-by shooting. - Q: What is the status of the victims?
A: All four victims are in good condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. - Q: Is there a suspect in custody?
A: No arrests have been made at this time. - Q: What is the potential connection to Gold Coast Social?
A: Witnesses reported the female shooting victim had just walked out of Gold Coast Social before she was shot, and there is a history of 911 calls related to the establishment. - Q: Who is investigating the incident?
A: Area 3 detectives are investigating the shooting.
