In a troubling incident early Sunday, at least five police officers were injured by a driver during a “teen takeover” event on Chicago’s West Side, marking yet another instance of this growing trend across the U.S.
Additionally, Chicago witnessed 19 people suffering gunshot wounds over Memorial Day weekend, highlighting a surge in violence.
The chaotic scene unfolded around 3:20 a.m. when hundreds of teenagers gathered along Chicago’s South Loomis Street, effectively blocking the road. Police arrived on the scene to restore order and disperse the crowd.
Amid the attempts to control the situation, an 18-year-old driver struck five officers, then veered over the curb, colliding with a Chicago Police Department squad car, a utility pole, and a fence, as reported by ABC 7.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, escaped injury and was taken into custody with charges pending. Authorities also discovered a firearm inside the vehicle.
The injured officers were promptly taken to local hospitals and are reported to be in stable condition, according to police officials.
The officers who were hit by the car were all transported to local hospitals and are in good condition, police officials said.
Along with the street takeover on South Loomis Street, Chicago police reported another incident just 30 minutes away on West Roosevelt Road where a 19-year-old was shot.
Police did not say if the shooting was related to the large gathering where the five officers were hit.
The so-called teen takeovers have started to ramp up during the Memorial Day weekend, with the viral events seeing police respond to fights, robberies and gunfire from massive crowds of minors descending on public spaces.
The takeovers have taken place all over the nation, including one incident earlier this month that saw scores of juveniles taking part in an all-out brawl at a Chipotle in Washington, DC.
The chaotic events are often filmed and shared across social media, with the teens acting with impunity as they terrorize public spaces and even attack police vehicles.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling called on parents last week to step up and keep their children from participating in the teen takeovers, which will likely get larger as summer vacation approaches.
“You know, it’s not parent-shaming to say that you should know where your children are at 10, 11, 12 o’clock at night, when you have a 12-year-old or a 13-year-old,” he said during a Thursday event in the city.
“They’re vulnerable, you know, when they go into these environments; they can be harmed, and they can be killed, and that has happened,” Snelling added.
