2 dead, 7 wounded in mass shooting and retaliatory attack in Harvey

A man was fatally shot in Harvey early Sunday morning in what local officials called a “retaliatory act” after a mass shooting that left one dead and seven others wounded Saturday night.

Among the injured was a 4-year-old, according to Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill.

“I am heartbroken and outraged by the senseless acts of violence that took place in our community this weekend,” McCaskill said in a statement. “To the residents of Harvey: we must come together. Violence cannot and will not define who we are.”

She said a community town hall and vigil were being put together, with details to be announced.

On Saturday, a house party was underway in the 14400 block of Des Plaines Street just after 8 p.m. when two people arrived and started shooting. One man at the party, who has a valid concealed carry license, returned fire, killing one of the shooters, according to Harvey officials. The other shooter was also shot and taken to a hospital, where he later stabilized and was arrested.

Seven people were wounded, including a 4-year-old boy

At 4:50 a.m. Sunday, Harvey police responded to a call of shots fired in the 200 block of Calumet Boulevard and found a man in a minivan who had been shot multiple times, Harvey police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation is ongoing in both cases, but law enforcement officials say initial evidence has led them to believe the shootings were connected.

“We cannot undo what happened this weekend,” McCaskill said. “But together, we can choose a different path forward.”