Seven Individuals, Including Three Teens, Shot Outside St. Sabina Church in Overnight Attack; Father Michael Pfleger Offers $10,000 Reward as Police Intensify Search for Suspects
CHICAGO, IL —
What began as a routine overnight gathering outside St. Sabina Church in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood took a horrifying turn early Saturday morning, when a burst of gunfire left seven people injured, among them three teenagers. The shooting, which occurred just before 2:00 a.m., has once again spotlighted the unrelenting toll of gun violence in the city.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), officers were already present in the area — at the corner of 78th Street and Throop Street, adjacent to St. Sabina School — attempting to disperse a lingering crowd when a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee approached and opened fire.
Eyewitnesses and officials say multiple shots were fired from inside the vehicle toward the crowd, and some individuals may have returned fire. The attackers quickly fled the scene.
Injured Victims: Identities Withheld, Conditions Revealed
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims. However, police provided the following details:
- An 18-year-old male suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and leg and is in serious condition at an area hospital.
- Three 17-year-old males were shot in the arms and legs. All are reported to be in stable condition.
- A 19-year-old man sustained injuries to the leg and arm.
- Two additional 18-year-olds were hit — one in the leg, the other in the buttocks. Both are expected to recover.
All seven victims were transported by emergency services to nearby hospitals. As of the latest update, no fatalities have occurred.
Eyewitness Testimony Paints a Grim Picture
Residents and witnesses described the sudden eruption of violence with fear and disbelief.
Latasha Daniels, who lives near the intersection, said she was watching television when she heard the shots. “It was rapid, like a machine gun. Then came the screams,” she recounted. “People were running everywhere. Kids were ducking behind cars. It felt like a war zone right outside my window.”
The street outside St. Sabina, normally a place of refuge and community, was littered with shell casings and blood within seconds.
Police Were on Scene Before Shots Were Fired
CPD confirmed that officers had already been dispatched to the scene in an effort to clear out a large group that had gathered after earlier community activities. While their presence was precautionary, they were unable to prevent the violent ambush.
According to initial reports, the Jeep Cherokee involved had four occupants, and at least one individual inside the vehicle opened fire indiscriminately on the crowd.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the church and surrounding buildings to gather leads on the shooters and the vehicle.
Father Michael Pfleger Issues Statement, Offers Reward
Father Michael Pfleger, the outspoken pastor of St. Sabina known citywide for his anti-violence activism, issued a passionate statement just hours after the shooting. He condemned the attack and called for community-wide accountability.
“This cannot be normalized. Our children should not be dodging bullets outside a church,” he said. “This kind of reckless violence doesn’t start on the street — it starts in homes, in access to illegal guns, and in our failure to stand together as a community.”
Pfleger, who has led numerous peace marches and anti-gun initiatives over the years, announced that St. Sabina Church is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the shooting.
Calls for Community and Parental Accountability
In addition to the reward, Pfleger delivered a pointed message to parents and guardians.
“A city curfew won’t fix this. What will help is knowing where your kids are at 2 a.m. We must reclaim our streets, but first we must reclaim our homes.”
His comments echo a growing sentiment among community leaders that the solution to Chicago’s gun violence epidemic cannot rest solely with law enforcement or policy — it must also involve grassroots, family-level responsibility and systemic reform.
Police Investigation Ongoing
As of Saturday afternoon, no arrests have been made. The CPD’s Major Crimes Unit and Gang Investigations Division are assisting with the case. Authorities confirmed that they are actively reviewing video evidence, interviewing witnesses, and pursuing tips.
They urge anyone with knowledge of the shooting or the suspects to contact:
- St. Sabina Church at (773) 483-4300
- Anonymous Tips at CPDTIP.com
Tipsters can remain anonymous, and all information provided will be kept strictly confidential.
Violence at Sacred Ground: A Sobering Pattern
This is not the first time that violence has touched the grounds of St. Sabina, which has long served as a community center, sanctuary, and safe space for youth programs, job fairs, and anti-violence campaigns.
The fact that this shooting occurred just steps from a church school — and during a time when officers were present — has shaken the neighborhood to its core.
“This isn’t just a shooting,” said Angela Ramirez, a longtime parishioner. “It’s a message that we are losing our grip on what’s sacred.”
A Community on Edge but Determined
In the aftermath of the shooting, residents have begun organizing a candlelight vigil and prayer service outside the church for Saturday evening. Father Pfleger is expected to speak and lead the service.
As the city processes yet another act of senseless violence, there is both anger and resolve. Many residents of Auburn Gresham say they are tired — but not defeated.
“This won’t break us,” said Carlton Mays, a youth mentor. “But it will force us to act. We need to show our kids there’s another way.”
If You Have Information
Anyone with tips that could help police locate the shooters or the vehicle involved in this violent incident is encouraged to step forward. Silence, leaders say, only protects those who continue to endanger the community.
- St. Sabina Church: (773) 483-4300
- Submit Anonymous Tips: CPDTIP.com
All tips are reviewed and investigated. The $10,000 reward remains active and will be awarded upon conviction.
As Chicago grapples with the aftermath of yet another shooting — and as seven families wait for healing and justice — the city once again finds itself asking: How many more? And what must change to ensure that sacred spaces like churches and schools no longer double as crime scenes?
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