Additional Coverage:
Three individuals sustained injuries when gunmen firing from a vehicle targeted a community center in a Chicago suburb where a funeral reception was being held, according to authorities.
The incident took place at approximately 3:30 p.m. this past Friday in Blue Island, Illinois, around 16 miles south of downtown Chicago. The facility, a Salvation Army community center, was booked for a post-funeral gathering, said Blue Island’s City Administrator, Tom Wogan.
During an evening news briefing on Friday, Wogan detailed that the assailants, driving by the community center, actively shot at the building’s entrance.
In the midst of the attack, a funeral attendee with a valid concealed carry license engaged by firing back at the shooters, Wogan described, noting the situation quickly escalated into chaos.
The injured parties were inside the community center as the violence unfolded and were subsequently transported to local hospitals for treatment. Of the three, one faced severe, potentially life-threatening injuries, while the other two were treated for less serious injuries, added Wogan.
As of Friday evening, Blue Island Police have detained a suspect for interrogation related to the shooting.
Efforts are ongoing to locate the vehicle involved and identify any additional participants in the shooting.
Wogan mentioned it remains to be determined whether the shooting was an act of retaliation.
In response to the violence, Blue Island Police are being supported by multiple law enforcement bodies, including the state police and the FBI, in their investigation.