Introduction to the Incident
A man was shot steps away from three Northwest Side elementary and middle schools Monday evening, prompting at least one school to go into a temporary lockdown, according to police and school officials.
Details of the Shooting
About 4:20 p.m., a 23-year-old man was in a vehicle in the 4900 block of North Kedzie Avenue when he was shot in the upper chest, according to Chicago police. He was taken to Presence St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was listed in good condition.
Affected Schools and Response
Hibbard Elementary, Edison Regional Gifted Center and Albany Park Multicultural Academy are all located within a few blocks of where the shooting happened, and some students were outside participating in activities and sports practices when the shots were fired.
Edison Regional Gifted Center Principal Karen Valentine said the school brought everyone on the grounds inside and placed the building on a soft lockdown, according to a message to parents and guardians obtained by the Sun-Times. Chicago police gave the all-clear to lift the lockdown shortly after and no students or staff members were injured.
School Protocol and Communication
“Please know that we will always take situations like this extremely seriously,” Valentine wrote. “If your child voices any fears or concerns to you about the lockdown, please let us know so we can provide them with social-emotional support.”
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of school safety protocols and the need for swift action in response to potential threats. The swift response by school officials and law enforcement ensured the safety of students and staff, and the incident is a reminder of the complexities of maintaining a safe learning environment in urban areas.
FAQs
- Q: What happened during the incident?
A: A 23-year-old man was shot in the upper chest near three Northwest Side elementary and middle schools, prompting a temporary lockdown. - Q: Which schools were affected?
A: Hibbard Elementary, Edison Regional Gifted Center, and Albany Park Multicultural Academy were the schools affected by the incident. - Q: Were any students or staff injured?
A: No, according to the information provided, no students or staff members were injured during the incident. - Q: What was the condition of the man who was shot?
A: The man was listed in good condition at Presence St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. - Q: How did the school respond to the incident?
A: Edison Regional Gifted Center went into a soft lockdown, bringing all students inside, and Chicago police later gave the all-clear to lift the lockdown.
