Chicago police, Mayor Brandon Johnson address safety concerns for July 4, 2025 weekend after River North mass shooting
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago leaders on Thursday addressed concerns about safety during the upcoming holiday weekend.

A mass shooting in River North on Wednesday night and another incident wounding four individuals on the city’s South Side early Thursday serve as stark reminders that violence can occur anywhere in the city.

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

The police superintendent offered assurances Thursday that the strategic plan is one that is city-wide.

“Certainly frustrated and angered by this senseless and cowardice act of violence,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

Johnson says he will not stand for the kind of violence that happened in River North.

Police describe the deadly mass shooting as a targeted attack, involving multiple weapons, which resulted in the deaths of four people and injuries to another 14 outside a private event.

“We want to ensure justice for these families, and we also aim to remove individuals who are this violent and careless from the streets,” stated CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling.

The Fourth of July weekend often brings large crowds downtown and to popular places like the lakefront beaches, which police say will get extra attention this weekend as part of the overall safety plan.

RELATED: River North mass shooting victims include hairstylist, health care worker | What we know

“So what I can assure you is that Chicago Police Department will be out in full force, making sure that we’re keeping the city safe and protecting lives from one end of this city to the other,” Snelling said.

Community groups focused on preventing violence will also be spread out in key areas of the city, as they often do on summer weekends.

“So for us, as the Crisis Response Unit, you know, we’ll be paying attention and monitoring our hotspots,” crisis responder Rodney Phillips said. “We understand the task and what we’re up against. All we can do is do our best.”

Like police, they will focus on places like parks or the lakefront, where large crowds will gather this weekend. And the city is asking them to step up their efforts.

“We are expanding and extending the hours of CVI (Community Violence Intervention), so that these community violence interrupters can be in places strategically and longer to provide more support within these communities,” Johnson said.

Police are on alert for possible retaliation from Wednesday night’s shooting.

“Anything that we uncover, and there’s a possibility of retaliation, we would have an idea of where that retaliation can occur. And we would put resources in place to prevent that,” Snelling said.

Police are asking that anyone with information about the River North shooting please come forward, or even send in anonymous tips.

They are looking into the possibility that shooting itself may have been in retaliation for a previous incident.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Morning Minute: Leadership Doesn't Look Like This

Morning Minute: Surprising Missteps in Leadership Revealed

Thursday, January 8, 2026 Good morning! Welcome to RedState’s “Morning Minute,” your…
Renee Good’s wife claimed Minneapolis shooting was ‘my fault’ in video amid anti-ICE fury

In a recent video, Renee Good’s spouse takes responsibility for the Minneapolis shooting amidst growing anti-ICE tensions.

MINNEAPOLIS – Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,…
Jacksonville demonstrators demand justice after deadly Minneapolis ICE shooting

Jacksonville Protesters Call for Justice Following Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

Protests have erupted across the nation following the deadly shooting of 37-year-old…
Chicago-area car owner unable to get extended warranty from Hyundai for peeling paint problem

Hyundai’s Paint Problem: Chicago Car Owners Struggle for Warranty Coverage

CHICAGO (WLS) — Numerous car owners in the Chicago area are voicing…
Minneapolis ICE shooting: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker calls for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, Chicago groups speak out

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Demands DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Resignation Following Minneapolis ICE Shooting; Chicago Organizations Voice Concerns

CHICAGO (WLS) — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has joined the growing number…
Security guard fatally shot outside Houston restaurant after confrontation with suspect

Tragic Confrontation: Security Guard Killed in Houston Restaurant Shooting

A security officer lost his life after being shot outside a Houston…
Officer-involved shooting reported inside NYC hospital following knife incident

Officer-Involved Shooting Occurs Inside NYC Hospital After Knife Incident

Authorities are currently delving into the details surrounding a shooting incident that…
Minneapolis ICE shooting agitators set up camp, barricade roads as schools, businesses close in city on edge

Minneapolis ICE Shooting Protesters Establish Encampment, Block Roads Amid Citywide School and Business Closures

ICE-involved shooting prompts mass protests Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams and acting…
Chinese national charged with photographing US stealth bomber base after illegal entry

Chinese National Accused of Illegally Photographing US Stealth Bomber Base

On Wednesday, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office revealed that a Chinese national…
a bear struggles to leave small crawl space under home

Massive 550-Pound Bear Finally Relocated from California Home After Ingenious Strategy Ends Month-Long Standoff

A 550-pound bear, which had taken up residence beneath a California man’s…
Isla Rae magnetic wireless chargers recalled, may 'explode while in use'

Urgent Recall Alert: Isla Rae Magnetic Wireless Chargers Pose Explosion Risk

Wireless chargers that attach to the back of smartphones are being recalled…
Judge disqualifies Trump federal prosecutor in Tish James investigation

Judge Removes Trump Federal Prosecutor from Tish James Investigation: Implications for High-Profile Case

By MICHAEL HILL ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — In a significant legal decision,…