Late-night celebrations honoring Juneteenth in Willowbrook, Illinois, were disrupted by a shocking incident, with gunfire resulting in at least 20 people being injured and one tragic death, according to police reports.
Eric Swanson, the DuPage County Deputy Sheriff, shared on Sunday that some of the injured made their own way to local hospitals, while others were transported by ambulance. Reports from hospitals confirmed the severity of the incident, with injuries varying from minor grazes to critical gunshot wounds.
Joe Ostrander, the Battalion Chief of the Tri-State Fire Protection District, reported earlier that ten individuals were rushed to four separate hospitals due to their injuries. Among those, two are battling for their lives in a critical condition. In response to the incident, at least 12 ambulances were dispatched to the scene, demonstrating the scale of the emergency.
The shooting, which took place around 12:30 a.m. in a parking lot in Willowbrook, approximately 21 miles west of Chicago, shocked witnesses and attendees at the Juneteenth gathering.
The exact reason for this horrifying act remains unknown as police continue their investigation, according to Deputy Sheriff Swanson.
This incident is recorded as one of 310 mass shootings to occur this year, as per the Gun Violence Archive.