40-year-old Nathaniel Jackson was pronounced dead early this morning just hours after being gunned down outside this convenience store at Augusta and Lavergne Thursday night in the Austin neighborhood.
His violent death marks 500 homicides in Chicago this year. It’s a number we haven’t seen since 2008.
Community activist Andrew Holmes was at the scene following last night’s deadly attack, one of about 400 he says he’s responded to this year..
Holmes, like many others, praises police superintendent Gary McCarthy’s initiatives to refocus police efforts on high crime areas. Holmes says it’s up to the community and lawmakers to work to end the violence.
Overall however the homicide rate is up about 17% from last year, a statistic that doesn’t sit well with many Chicagoans.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel office released this statement today saying in part, “Chicago has reached an unfortunate and tragic milestone, which not only marks a needless loss of life but serves as a reminder of the damage that illegal guns and conflicts between gangs cause in our neighborhoods.”
10 Comments to “City hits tragic milestone: 500 homicides this year”
December 28, 2012 at 7:58 PM
Stupid kids in gangsters
December 28, 2012 at 7:59 PM
All they do is killing and taking beautiful Chicago into ruins which was our home and proud
December 28, 2012 at 8:13 PM
And the year still has a few days left.
December 28, 2012 at 9:41 PM
This was not mentioned in the newscast. What percentage of the five hundred murders were committed with the use of a gun?
December 28, 2012 at 10:56 PM
…The “Definition of Citizenship” is what is at stake.
…”Self Government” doesn't exist everywhere else.
…Many men have died to preserve our rights.
…Many good men are armed.
December 29, 2012 at 7:52 AM
Unfortunately, this is one of the many reasons we moved away from Chicago!
December 29, 2012 at 8:48 AM
Isn't it interesting that a good majority of these murders are committed in Englewood or by people who reside in Englewood? Remember some time ago Daley talking about bringing in the National Guard? Sounds like a plan! And it's the perfect neighborhood to start in.
December 29, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Be careful what you wish for
December 30, 2012 at 12:37 AM
The Anti-gun lobby is just scared because it is loosing control. Their strict gun laws have not only harassed decent american people but they have failed to control crime. We are all citizens who want crime reduced and civil liberty restored, locally and across the country, without another Kent State.
December 30, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Way to go Chicago….I knew ya could do it!