Tragedy in Chicago as Teen Dies, 4 Others Injured in South Side Shooting

Tacara Tunstall Chicago Shooting South Side Shooting gun violence

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Aug 16, 10:13 am

Photo: (Photo : Mark Borenstein/Getty Images)

Police officers in Chicago are investigating a murder incident after a 19-year-old woman was killed and four other teenagers were injured in a drive-by shooting on Sunday, August 14, in the Gresham neighborhood.

The cops said the teens were in the 1800 block of West 78th Street at approximately 2:24 a.m. when an unknown individual suddenly opened fire, hitting at least five people. Authorities said a 19-year-old woman was shot in the chest and twice in the arm.

She was taken to St. Bernard Hospital for treatment but the wounds proved fatal as she was pronounced dead a short time later. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Chicago resident Tacara Tunstall, according to NBC Chicago.

Four teens also injured in a drive-by shooting

Four other teen individuals were also hurt in the shooting, including a 17-year-old listed in serious condition. She was brought to an area hospital after a gunshot hit her back. The teen is currently getting treatment at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Police also said that a 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old man were both shot in the arm. They were both listed in fair condition. A 17-year-old boy was shot in the torso by the suspect and he was also listed in fair condition at an area hospital. They are all currently getting treatment at Holy Cross Hospital.

No suspects are currently in custody concerning the shooting, as Area Two detectives are still investigating. The shooting occurred in the 6th police district, which covers part of the South Englewood and Chatham neighborhoods and Auburn Park, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

According to Chicago police statistics, shootings in the district are down 27 percent compared to last year, from 193 to 141 through August 7. Murders are also down 27 percent over the same period, from 52 in 2021 to 38 in 2022.

Gun violence hits Chicago over the weekend

It has been a brutal weekend for Chicago as at least 45 people have been shot, seven fatally, since Friday evening across the city. Hours after the South Side shooting, a man was shot to death in the Humboldt Park neighborhood early on Sunday.

The 32-year-old man was arguing with someone in the 1100 block of North Ridgeway Avenue at around 3:30 a.m. when he was shot multiple times. Chicago police said the victim was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died. The suspect fled the scene of the shooting, according to ABC 7 Chicago.

Regarding nonfatal shootings on Sunday, a 17-year-old boy was critically wounded after he was shot in the head while driving in Brighton Park. The teenager was heading north in the 4300 block of South Western Boulevard at about 3:30 a.m. when he suddenly heard gunfire and felt pain. According to Chicago police, the victim was transported to Stroger Hospital for treatment. He was listed in critical condition.