Mass shooting in Back of the Yards ends with 2 men dead, 5 wounded

Two men were killed and five other adults were wounded in a mass shooting early Friday in Back of the Yards on the South Side.

Witnesses told police two masked men began walking down the block and opened fire on a group of people in the 5100 block of South Wood Street around 12:25 a.m., according to police reports.

A 43-year-old man who suffered gunshot wounds to the head, chest and leg was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center, while a 32-year-old man who was shot in the abdomen was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to police. Their names have not been released by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Two women were also shot, a 23-year-old who was shot in the head and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition and a 30-year-old who was shot in the thigh and hand and was in fair condition at Mount Sinai Hospital.

A 54-year-old man was in fair condition at Stroger with a gunshot wound to an ankle, while a 21-year-old man who was shot in the back and a 32-year-old man who was shot in the torso were both taken in good condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said.

Meanwhile, Cook County Crime Stoppers was offering up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.

“This tragic shooting is yet another example of the senseless gun violence that continues to plague our communities,” said Paul Rutherford, executive director of Cook County Crime Stoppers. “These shootings are happening far too often, leaving families devastated and neighborhoods traumatized. We urge anyone who witnessed this incident or has information about those responsible to come forward.”

Tipsters can remain anonymous and can contact 1-800-535-STOP (7867) or submit a a tip at www.CPDTIP.com.