Homicides are now outpacing 2016 records in Chicago after the city experienced its deadliest day after seven people were shot dead on Wednesday alone.
Among the dead were Wilteeah Jones and her boyfriend Malik Bingham.
Wilteeah, who was eight months pregnant at the time, was shot in the side and abdomen, while her boyfriend (a gang member) was hit in the neck.
They were both pronounced dead at the the hospital, along with the baby.
On Thursday night, President Donald Trump tweeted about Chicago violence.
Citing the seven fatal shootings Wednesday, he wrote: “What is going on there – totally out of control. Chicago needs help!”
The total number of people who were shot in 2017 reached 495 as of Wednesday evening, which surpassed last year’s figures by more than 60 people.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said anger at police has left criminals ’emboldened’ to violent crimes.
According to statistics, a person is shot in Chicago every 2.37 hours and a person is murdered every 13 hours.
(c) 2017, Breaking911 · Robert Walker
