Crime Gun Intelligence Center's expanded effort to track, prevent gun violence in Chicago deemed a success, game changer
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Decreasing rates of violent crime are making news nationwide, with initial federal data indicating a notable decrease in numerous cities throughout the U.S.

Mayor Brandon Johnson just this week credited his administration for the decline in Chicago.

Many entities are lining up to take credit for the decrease, which may well prove to be a combination of many factors.

A year prior, Chicago introduced an expanded effort aimed at reducing gun violence. The collaboration between local, state, and federal authorities has seen promising results, leading officials to believe that their cooperative efforts are contributing to the positive shift in crime statistics.

The Crime Gun Intelligence Center, known as CGIC, was broadened to enhance collaboration among over a dozen agencies dedicated to preventing and resolving gun-related violence. ABC7’s I-Team was given exclusive access to Chicago’s CGIC for discussions with officials about the center’s advancements.

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

“CGIC brings together 13 partner agencies into one location with one goal, which is reducing violent crime here in the city of Chicago and beyond. And we’ve been able to achieve that in the first year,” said Christopher Amon, the Special Agent in Charge for ATF-Chicago.

Amon worked with the Chicago Police Department and other agencies to expand the intelligence center where agents, cops, detectives, deputies and prosecutors are able to gather under one roof to focus on real-time firearms and ballistics tracing, which includes analyzing gun shell casings left behind, much like tracing a fingerprint.

Gun investigations that begin on the street will end up on being plotted on the center’s firearm heat zone map to help experts as they work to review key evidence where guns were used and where people were killed or wounded.

“It’s changed everything having everybody embedded in one center,” said Antoinette Ursitti, Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department.

Cutting-edge technology is fed into a national database to help develop and pursue leads using an interconnected ballistics network.

“So if you’re able to know that a recovered gun was used in a shooting 48 hours early, you’re going to have a better chance of solving that shooting,” Amon said. “You’re also going to have a better chance of prosecution on the individual caught with the gun.”

We had over 1,800 non-fatal shootings last year, and it’s one of our main focuses… We’re getting intelligence from the CGIC back to those detectives who are focusing on them, and we’re seeing significant improvements.

Kevin Bruno, CPD Deputy Chief of Detectives

One goal of the collaborative effort is to track down robbery crews or other repeat offenders.

In 2024, armed robbery suspects targeted the Irish Nobleman Pub in West Town the brazen crime caught on security cameras. Federal authorities recently indicted a fourth suspect, alleging the crew is responsible for robbing multiple liquor stores, convenience stores and bars in Chicago in 2023 through 2024. According to the indictment, in some cases, the masked group used firearms converted into machine guns.

CGIC is credited with helping to nab the suspects, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“Previously that could have taken six months to a year to obtain those critical leads that we’re able to connect the dots in those robberies,” Amon said. “What we’ve seen in one year of operation… 200 tier one lead, meaning the lead is going to help with your investigation and potentially help solve that case.”

Kevin Bruno, the Deputy Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department, told the I-Team one of the big differences they are seeing with CGIC is the timeliness with getting information and intelligence back to the detectives to help bolster their cases.

“We had over 1,800 non-fatal shootings last year, and it’s one of our main focuses. This year, we’re up to 58 dedicated detectives focusing on non-fatal shootings,” Bruno said. “We’re getting intelligence from the CGIC back to those detectives who are focusing on them, and we’re seeing significant improvements.”

The lack of arrests in non-fatal shootings has plagued the Chicago Police Department for years. CPD said those numbers are now improving.

The department provided the I-Team with their non-fatal clearance numbers from January to May over four years. This year, CPD solved more than twice as many cases as it did during the same time frame in 2022, which is a dramatic jump. This includes cases cleared by exceptional means, which can include a suspect’s death or prosecutors declining to file charges.

The I-Team was also given an inside look into CPD’s rarely-seen Forensic Firearms Lab, where officials credit enhancements in basic ballistics work along with advanced technology for improving outcomes. That lab provides intel on guns and shell casings to the CGIC.

Chief Ursitti said the center is at the heart of a lot of positive progress in both the reduction of violent crime incidents as much as an increase in clearance rates.

“You’re going to see that firearms can be used anywhere, not just in the city, but in the country,” Ursitti said. “That’s what’s so vital about the partnership that we have here with the ATF and our other partners (butt) to ultimately put together the big picture of not only the story of that weapon, but the people who came in contact with that weapon.”

Amon emphasized he is proud of the results so far but said there is still a lot of work to do to continue driving down crime even further in 2025.

“There’s 2,300, approximately, shooting events in the city. There’s not 2,300 different shooters,” Amon said. “So what the evidence shows us from the CGIC, it’s clear that there’s a small subset of individuals responsible for the majority of the shootings, and that’s what we see, that 21% of the firearms that are linked to other shootings helps us focus and narrow our focus on the most violent.”

There are dozens of Crime Gun Intelligence Centers across the country, and while there is promising evidence, some crime experts say more research is needed to definitively prove a link to lower rates of gun violence.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Blue Jays beat Mariners in Game 7 of ALCS, now face Dodgers in World Series

Blue Jays Triumph Over Mariners in ALCS Finale, Set to Face Dodgers in World Series Showdown

The Toronto Blue Jays triumphed over the Seattle Mariners, clinching a 4-3…
Soros-backed blue city DA under fire after freeing suspect tied to Miss USA hopeful’s death

Controversy Erupts: Soros-Backed DA Faces Backlash for Release Linked to Miss USA Hopeful’s Tragic Death

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is under intense scrutiny after the arrest…
Former NFL player who died in police custody battled injuries and mental health challenges

Ex-NFL Star’s Tragic End Highlights Struggles with Injuries and Mental Health

Nearly two decades ago, Doug Martin made his way to Boise State…
Previously deported illegal immigrant allegedly kills man in hit-and-run after returning to US: DHS

Previously Deported Immigrant Accused in Fatal Hit-and-Run After Reentering U.S.: DHS Reports

The Department of Homeland Security has reported a tragic incident involving an…
Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female prime minister, citing Thatcher inspiration

Sanae Takaichi Makes History as Japan’s First Female Prime Minister, Drawing Inspiration from Margaret Thatcher

As the United Kingdom recently commemorated the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth,…
Jasper Nathaniel Shares Harrowing Attack by Israeli Settlers

Jasper Nathaniel Recounts Disturbing Encounter with Israeli Settlers: A Firsthand Account

An American journalist recently endured a harrowing attack by Israeli settlers while…
New video purportedly shows Louvre thieves in action during brazen daytime heist

Newly Released Footage Allegedly Captures Louvre Thieves Executing Daring Daytime Heist

Recently, fresh video footage has surfaced, potentially capturing the culprits behind the…
Group faces loss of Northwestern University student status for refusing mandatory anti-bias training, which mentions Israel

Northwestern University Student Group Risks Derecognition Over Mandatory Anti-Bias Training Dispute Involving Israel Content

In Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University has announced that up to 16 students…
One of the world's rarest whales that makes the Atlantic its home grows in population

Atlantic’s Rare Right Whale Population Sees Promising Growth: A Conservation Success

PORTLAND, Maine — In an optimistic turn for marine conservation, one of…
Crypto Scam warning: North Carolina man's account drained of $80,00 after he clicked on a link for a virtual meeting

Beware: North Carolina Resident Loses $80,000 to Crypto Scam After Clicking Virtual Meeting Link

Kenneth Nicholson, a Durham, North Carolina native, is deeply immersed in the…
Georgia man arrested for allegedly shooting at North Carolina home after tearing down Trump banner

Georgia Resident Arrested for Alleged Gunfire at North Carolina Home Following Trump Banner Removal

Authorities have apprehended a Georgia man accused of tearing down a Trump…
Man who planned to shoot up Atlanta's airport is arrested in a terminal following a tip, police say

Swift Police Action Thwarts Potential Atlanta Airport Shooting After Crucial Tip-Off

ATLANTA — A man was apprehended at Atlanta’s bustling airport on Monday…