5 people shot in Roseland at Father’s Day barbecue, police say

 Chicago Tribune

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Jun 18, 2023 at 10:40 pm

Officers work the scene where five people were shot in Wendell Smith Park in the 9900 block of South Princeton Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood Sunday, June 18, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Five people were shot Sunday night during a Father’s Day barbecue in Roseland, police said.

Police taped off the 9900 block of South Princeton Avenue around Wendell Smith Park.

Families had been gathering in the park, Chicago Police Department spokesperson Tom Ahern said. “A car drove up and opened fire,” he said.

Several people were taking away a portable, blue tent as ambulances pulled away. Police at the scene were unable to immediately confirm the condition of the people shot.

The victims were young adults and were taken to several hospitals, 5th District Commander Tyrone Pendarvis said. Detectives were canvassing the area, looking for surveillance footage, he said.

Police believe the gunshots came from a dark-colored sedan, he added.

”But we aren’t really sure,” Pendarvis said. “It’s unfortunate today that this occurred, because it’s a fine day of people just enjoying their family activity. But violence prevails in the city.”

In the suburbs early Sunday morning, at least 23 people were shot, one fatally, at a Juneteenth celebration at a strip mall near Willowbrook in southeast DuPage County.

[ 1 killed and at least 22 injured in shooting at a strip mall near Willowbrook, authorities say ]

In Roseland, the smell of barbecue lingered as neighbors, sitting on porches nearby, said they heard shots around 8 p.m.