Chicago shooting: Emergency assistance center opens at St. Sabina Church after 7 teenagers shot in Auburn Gresham, police say
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Over the weekend, seven young individuals were struck by gunfire close to St. Sabina Church. This area is central to a community that has long opposed Chicago’s gun violence. Even four days after the incident, the painful impact remained palpable among residents.

This has prompted a new initiative aimed at supporting those in crisis. On Thursday, an emergency assistance center was launched at the church on West 78th Place in Auburn Gresham.

Community members were offered an array of resources, including counseling and youth services and help with applying for victim compensation.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Since the mass shooting, there’s been a focus on action in the community. There was a police roll call there on Tuesday.

Sponsored by Chicago police, the emergency assistance center opened its doors at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham. It provided community members access to counseling, youth services, crime victim compensation applications, and additional resources. The center operated until 7 p.m.

The services are being offered days after seven teenagers, ages 17 to 19, were wounded in a weekend shooting steps from St. Sabina.

People need to understand that mass shootings, shooting across at folks, is not acceptable, so this is an example of a community coming together to support people who are victims of that.

Garien Gatewood, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety

Police said offenders in a dark-colored Jeep SUV opened fire as hundreds of young people were gathered outside a house for a post-prom party near 78th and Throop a little before 2 a.m. Saturday morning. All seven victims are expected to survive.

“CPD was out here before the shooting happened. They were trying to make sure that the kids were dispersed,” 17th Ward Ald. David Moore said. “Parents gotta get engaged. This something you cannot legislate.”

No one is in custody for the shooting, and St. Sabina’s father Michael Pfleger is offering a $10,000 reward for information in the case.

“Parents… where’s your child at one or two o’clock in the morning?” Ald. Moore said. “You shouldn’t have a hundred kids out at two o’clock in the morning and the parents not know where they are.”

Officials said this emergency assistance center at St. Sabina is not just for those impacted by the shooting over the weekend. Anyone who’s been touched by violence is welcome.

“We saw a pretty tragic incident here just a few days ago, and this is how we need to continue to respond,” said Garien Gatewood, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety. “People need to understand that mass shootings, shooting across at folks, is not acceptable, so this is an example of a community coming together to support people who are victims of that.”

The city’s outreach efforts will continue Friday evening with a take-back-the-block event is planned at the Auburn Gresham church.

The shooting comes as violent crime is declining in Chicago.

The ABC7 Safety Tracker shows, compared to the yearly average of the past three years, murders in the past 12 months are down more than 16%, the number of shooting victims are down nearly 20% and overall violent crime, which includes batteries, assaults, and robberies, is down 8.5%.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Iran blocking nuclear watchdog from sites hit by US, Israel: report

Report: Iran Restricts Access to Nuclear Sites Following US and Israel Incidents

Iran has blocked international inspectors from accessing three nuclear sites targeted by…
Ukraine targets 50,000 Russian casualties a month as war enters fifth year

Ukraine Aims to Inflict 50,000 Russian Casualties Monthly as Conflict Enters Fifth Year

PAVLOHRAD, Ukraine — In the fourth year of Russia’s extensive invasion, Ukraine…
Biden flies to South Carolina for rare campaign stop after cancer diagnosis -- tries to take 'awkward' selfie with supporter 

Biden’s South Carolina Campaign Visit: Post-Cancer Diagnosis, Selfie Mishap, and Political Resurgence

Former President Joe Biden faced travel hiccups on Friday but opted for…
Churchill statue in London defaced with anti-Israel messages

Outrage in London: Iconic Churchill Statue Vandalized with Controversial Anti-Israel Graffiti

A man has been taken into custody following the vandalization of a…
Pedestrian Shanna White killed in Winthrop Harbor hit-and-run on Sheridan Road, police say; daughter offers reward in case

Reward Offered After Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of Shanna White in Winthrop Harbor

A tragic hit-and-run incident in Winthrop Harbor resulted in the death of…
NYPD top cop Jessica Tisch issues fierce defense of cops — after Mayor Mamdani, DA Bragg dismiss snowball attack

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch Stands Firm Against Snowball Attack Dismissal by Mayor Mamdani and DA Bragg

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch made it clear on Friday…
ATM scammers target elderly customers inside California banks

Elderly Customers Fall Victim to ATM Scams in California Banks

Authorities are on the hunt for two suspects who have orchestrated a…
Bullet in the cap, Fresno police share body cam of moment officer narrowly escapes a gunshot to the head

Heart-Stopping Moment: Fresno Officer Dodges Bullet to the Head – Body Cam Footage Revealed

Intense bodycam footage captures a harrowing moment in Fresno, where a police…
Serial Child Predator's Parole Now Thwarted by Cold Case Warrant

Cold Case Breakthrough: Serial Child Predator’s Parole Halted by New Warrant

Many of us have often felt exasperated with the justice system’s revolving-door…
Bizarre burglar breaks into Brooklyn home, kisses tenant and runs off: NYPD

Unusual Break-In: Intruder Enters Brooklyn Home, Surprises Tenant with a Kiss Before Fleeing, Reports NYPD

In an unusual and unsettling incident, a Brooklyn woman’s home was invaded…
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: 'Ludicrous' Mamdani boots Israel-linked drone firm

Controversy Unfolds: Fox News Highlights Antisemitism in Mamdani’s Decision to Oust Israel-Linked Drone Company

Fox News’ “Antisemitism Exposed” newsletter sheds light on the growing issue of…
State Farm announces $5 billion cash-back dividend for customers

State Farm Unveils $5 Billion Cash-Back Dividend for Customers: A Major Win for Policyholders

This summer, State Farm is set to distribute a groundbreaking $5 billion…