A tragic incident unfolded over the weekend in downtown Chicago, where a 14-year-old boy lost his life amidst a series of shootings that left eight others injured. The young victim has been identified as Armani Floyd, remembered fondly as a kind-hearted individual, talented basketball player, and diligent student.

The founder of Project sWish, an organization committed to community safety, expressed that Floyd’s untimely death serves as a renewed inspiration to intensify their efforts. Floyd’s life, though brief, left an indelible impact on those who knew him, and his passing is a stark reminder of the pressing need for change.

In response to the surge in violence, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson granted an exclusive interview to ABC7 News on Sunday. Mayor Johnson addressed the recent incidents, discussing potential strategies to curb violence and enhance safety across the city.

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The Chicago police reported that the shootings occurred in the Loop on Friday night, affecting teenagers aged 13 to 17, with one incident resulting in the death of a young teen and injuries to a man nearby.

As the holiday season kicks off, with its hallmark events like the city’s official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the joy is somewhat overshadowed by concerns over public safety. Large crowds gathered again on Saturday night, and authorities anticipate more gatherings downtown as the festive season progresses. These safety concerns are now at the forefront of citywide discussions, as residents and officials alike seek solutions to prevent further tragedies.

The shootings happened during a very busy night downtown, after the city held its official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The first shooting unfolded before 10 p.m., just steps away from ABC7’s State Street studios. ABC7 crews heard the shots.

Police said they spotted a large group on the sidewalk in the 100 block of North State Street when shots rang out, and the group scattered. The chaotic scene played out in front of the Chicago Theater. Bystanders were also taking cover.

Most of victims were listed in good condition, and they were expected to recover, police said.

About an hour later, Chicago police said they responded to a shooting near Dearborn and Monroe. Officers said two people were shot around 10:40 p.m. in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street.

One of the male victims was taken to Northwestern Hospital and later died. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has now identified them as 14-year-old Armani Floyd. The second victim is an 18-year-old man who was shot in the leg and was listed in serious condition, CPD said.

Family and friends are now mourning the loss of Floyd, who was killed in a shooting Friday night in downtown Chicago tied to a so-called “teen takeover” that ended in chaos.

“His life was cut short,” Project sWish founder McKinley Nelson said. “I felt like it was unfair to him, but we’re going to make sure his legacy lives on.”

Nelson says Floyd was part of his youth basketball program, designed to give younger people a positive and safe place to play.

“Just super infectious energy, super high vibration, honestly smiling ear-to-ear all the time,” Nelson said. “You can’t come into Project sWish where he’s playing and not notice him at all.”

“In a way, it feels defeating, Nelson said. “We developed this program to save the kids, right, and when you lose a kid that’s a participant of the saving, it kind of feels like we’re not doing our work.”

Mayor Johnson said the city learned about at possible “teen takeover” from social media days before and did what they could to stop it, including adding an additional 700 officers on duty that night.

“As difficult as this moment was, we’re doing and using every single tool that’s available to us, to ensure that these type of violence acts do not become normalized,” Johnson said.

The mayor is calling what played out an “outbreak of accountability and opportunity.” He says the solution will take everyone playing their part, including parents and guardians.

“That’s why it’s going to take police officers, it’s going to take my administration, our public education system our mentoring programs, and just adults as a whole,” Johnson said. “Adults have to know where their children are.”

Authorities said 18 people were arrested Friday night for curfew violations and various assaults. CPD said no suspects related to the shootings are in custody.

Chicago police said the following victims were shot in the State Street incident:
-A 14-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the stomach and is listed in good condition at Lurie Children’s hospital.
-A 15-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the left thigh and is listed in good condition at Stroger hospital.
-A 17-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the left thigh and is listed in good condition at Stroger hospital.
-A 14-year-old girl sustained a gunshot wound to the right hip and is listed in good condition at Lurie Children’s hospital.
-A 16-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is listed in good condition at Northwestern hospital.
-A 14-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is listed in good condition at Lurie Children’s hospital.
-A 13-year-old girl sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is listed in fair condition at Lurie Children’s hospital.

Chicago police planed on deploying an additional 300 officers on top of the already 700 assigned to cover weekend festivities. City officials said they are continuing to monitor the downtown area for unusual activity.

Police have not said if the two shootings are connected. So far, no one is in custody in either shooting.

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