In the early hours of Sunday, June 18, shooting occurred near a shopping center in Willowbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, resulting in at least 22 people being shot and one fatality. Witnesses described the incident as a Juneteenth celebration that took a violent turn.
At around 12:30 am, deputies from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, who were patrolling near Honeysuckle Rose Lane and Route 83, heard a series of gunshots. They quickly responded to the area, where a sizable gathering was taking place, according to Deputy Chief Eric Swanson.
During a press briefing, Deputy Chief Swanson said that initial reports from witnesses and victims indicate that at least 22 people sustained gunshot wounds, resulting in one death. The motive behind the incident remains unclear, and an investigation is underway.
Video footage captured the aftermath of the shooting, depicting a parking lot strewn with debris and cordoned off by police tape. Witness Craig Lottie described the scene as chaotic, while others recounted seeking shelter upon hearing the gunfire.
Markeshia Avery, another witness, explained that the gathering was intended to be a Juneteenth celebration. However, the atmosphere quickly turned terrifying as the sound of gunshots filled the air. She and others dropped to the ground, taking cover until the shooting ceased.
Numerous victims were transported to nearby hospitals, while some wounded people made their own way to medical facilities. No updates about the ages or conditions of the victims were immediately available. Details about a potential suspect or the specific firearm used in the shooting have yet to be disclosed.
The Willowbrook Juneteenth event is the latest large celebration that experienced gunfire. In the last month, mass shootings occurred at a graduation ceremony in Virginia, an NBA celebration in Colorado and a California birthday party. The US has had more than 310 mass shootings already this year.
