Jogger finds concealed carry holder shot in Hyde Park. Lack of ShotSpotter delayed emergency response by 45 minutes

Hyde Park Shooting: Man Found Critically Injured After Mayor Deactivates ShotSpotter Network

In the early hours of Thursday morning, a jogger made a shocking discovery in Hyde Park—a man critically injured from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, a 31-year-old man, was found near Cornell Park with two gunshot wounds to his chest, one to his back, and one to his arm. He was rushed to the University of Chicago Hospital in critical condition.

The incident may have gone unnoticed for over 45 minutes due to the deactivation of the ShotSpotter network by Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2024. The only call reporting gunfire in the area was vague and imprecise, leading to a delayed response from the police.

Initially, at 4:06 a.m., a 911 caller reported hearing three shots fired near 55th Street and Cornell Avenue, and witnessing a car speeding away. Despite officers responding to the area, they did not find anything out of the ordinary. It wasn’t until 4:54 a.m. that police were alerted to a person shot call on the 5400 block of South Cornell Avenue, where the injured man was eventually discovered.

Evidence at the scene, including three shell casings found near the victim, suggested that ShotSpotter could have pinpointed the location for first responders had the system been operational. Additionally, it was revealed that the victim was a concealed carry holder and had a firearm on him. Police were also following a lead that the car seen fleeing the scene was a stolen white Volkswagen from Lincoln Park.

Ald. Desmon Yancy, representing the area where the incident occurred, had been vocal in advocating for the retention of ShotSpotter. Despite widespread support from residents and officials, Mayor Johnson proceeded with deactivating the technology, citing concerns over its effectiveness in preventing gun violence.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of discontinuing crucial public safety measures. ShotSpotter had been instrumental in providing precise alerts about gunfire locations, aiding law enforcement in responding promptly to incidents in violence-prone neighborhoods.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this shooting, questions linger about the decision to deactivate ShotSpotter and its impact on public safety. The incident underscores the importance of reevaluating policies that directly impact the well-being of residents and the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts in combating gun violence.