CHICAGO (WLS) — A teenager was shot near a North Side high school on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a soft lockdown on campus, officials said.
According to Chicago police, a shooting occurred just after 3:15 p.m. in the 5900-block of North California Avenue, located in the Arcadia Terrace neighborhood. This is in proximity to Mather High School.
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A 17-year-old boy was inside a vehicle when someone approached him, took out a gun and fired shots, striking him in the arm, police said.
Police said the victim was taken to Evanston Hospital in good condition.
In response to the incident, the school’s principal issued a letter to families, noting that the shooting took place as classes were being dismissed. As a precaution, the school implemented a soft lockdown, but fortunately, no students or staff members were harmed.
Area Three detectives are investigating.
Authorities did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.
Full statement from Mather High School principal:
We prioritize the safety of your children and are reaching out to inform you about an incident affecting our school. Today, during dismissal, shots were fired in the nearby neighborhood. We promptly brought all students and staff indoors, contacted the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and CPS Office of Safety and Security, and initiated a soft lockdown. CPD arrived at our school, lifted the lockdown once they confirmed there was no threat to the school, and continued to support us for the remainder of our dismissal. Thankfully, no students or staff were injured, and everyone is safe.
Please know that we take safety extremely seriously. If your child voices any concerns or fears to you about this incident, please reach out to us, and we will be able to provide them additional support. Thank you for your partnership. We will continue striving to provide our students with a safe and positive learning environment where they can reach their full potential. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Principal Tesinsky”
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