Chicago’s trigger-happy criminals closed in on 3,000 shootings in 2016 by targeting a 71-year-old man who was watering his lawn.
Federico LaGuardia was shot in the abdomen while minding his own business on Tuesday. Two men briefly rode by him on bicycles before doubling back for a confrontation. The elderly man managed to call 911 after his wallet was stolen, and surveillance video is helping authorities track down the suspects.
“It’s not a police issue, it’s a society issue,” said Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson, ABC’s “Good Morning America” reported Thursday. “Impoverished neighborhoods, people without hope do these kinds of things. You show me a man that doesn’t have hope, I’ll show you on that’s willing to pick up a gun and do anything with it.”
“It’s absolutely ridiculous. I mean, you’re not even safe in your own yard,” added neighbor Teryeyah Griggs.
The Windy City has had 2,949 shootings this year along with 488 murders, the network reported.
Mr. LaGuardia is recovering in Holy Cross Hospital and police have offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the two suspects.
“I went to the hospital last night. He is doing better,” neighbor Lois Walker said, ABC News reported Thursday. “They were able to remove the bullet. He is talking. He is emotionally upset. He is saying, ’I am a good person, I don’t do anything to anybody. Why did they do this to me?’ And I want to know that too.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.