You’ve probably seen the headlines, but the numbers don't always tell the whole story of a city trying to find its footing. This past weekend, from Friday evening, January 9, through Monday morning, January 12, 2026, Chicago faced another wave of gunfire that left families reeling and investigators searching for leads. By the time the sun came up on Monday, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) had tallied at least two people killed and 11 others wounded in separate incidents across the city.
It wasn't just a "South Side" or "West Side" thing, either. While many incidents clustered in familiar areas like Woodlawn and Greater Grand Crossing, the reach of the violence felt strangely scattered this time.
Breaking Down the Last Weekend Shootings in Chicago
The violence kicked off early Friday evening. Around 6:45 p.m., officers found a 43-year-old man on a sidewalk in the 1500 block of South Sawyer Avenue. He had a gunshot wound to the body and was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition. Basically, before the weekend even really started for most people, the sirens were already blaring.
Just fifteen minutes later, it happened again. This time in the 5200 block of South Kedzie Avenue. Two men, a 28-year-old and another man whose age wasn’t released, were approached by two gunmen who just opened fire. One was hit in the leg; the other took multiple rounds to the body. Both ended up at Mt. Sinai in critical condition.
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Saturday didn't bring much of a reprieve. At 10:26 p.m., a 35-year-old man was shot in the back in the 1600 block of East 85th Place. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, but he didn't make it. Honestly, it’s these specific moments—a quiet street on a Saturday night suddenly turning into a crime scene—that stick with the neighborhood long after the yellow tape is gone.
The Sunday Morning Surge
Sunday usually feels slower, but the scanners were busy. At 11:08 p.m., a 31-year-old woman was sitting in a car in the 6700 block of South Langley Avenue. Someone on the street fired toward the vehicle. She was struck and later died at the University of Chicago Medical Center. It’s one of those random, terrifying scenarios: being a passenger in a car and having your life end because you were in the wrong place at a split second.
Earlier that morning, a 26-year-old man was shot in the throat on the 1700 block of West Albion Avenue. That’s up in Rogers Park. He survived but was listed in critical condition. Then you had the 24-year-old driver on West 74th Street who was shot in the head while driving, causing him to crash into a light pole.
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Here is the thing: the age range of the victims this weekend was wide. We’re talking about a 17-year-old boy shot on South Jeffery Boulevard all the way up to that 43-year-old man on Friday night.
Beyond the Yellow Tape
When we talk about the last weekend shootings in Chicago, we have to look at the broader context of 2026. Data from the city shows that gun violence victims are actually down significantly—about 34%—compared to this time last year. That's a huge drop. But when you’re the one hearing shots outside your window, percentages don’t matter much.
Current Superintendent Larry Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson have been leaning heavily into community-led intervention. They’re trying to move away from just "policing" the problem and looking at why it happens. A recent study from the University of Chicago even linked rising eviction rates to spikes in local violence. It turns out, when neighborhoods are unstable, the peace is harder to keep.
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Why the Location Matters
The "Safety Gap" is a real term used by the Mayor’s Office. It describes the massive difference in shooting rates between the city's safest and most dangerous blocks. About 63% of the city’s violent crime is still concentrated in just 15 community areas. This weekend's incidents in Morgan Park and Roseland fit that pattern, but the Rogers Park and West Side shootings show the "gap" can be unpredictable.
Most of these shooters got away. In almost every report from the CPD this weekend, the phrase "no one is in custody" appeared. Detectives are currently reviewing POD cameras and looking for a dark sedan seen fleeing one of the Kedzie Avenue scenes, but leads are often thin when witnesses are scared to talk.
Staying Safe and Taking Action
If you live in or travel through these areas, being aware isn't about living in fear—it's about being smart. The city has been pushing several resources that actually help residents stay informed without relying on social media rumors.
- Check the Violence Reduction Dashboard: The City of Chicago maintains a real-time data portal. It’s a bit clinical, but it shows exactly where incidents are happening.
- Support Community Violence Interruption (CVI): Groups like Chicago CRED or Arise Chicago work on the ground to de-escalate beefs before they turn into 911 calls.
- Anonymous Reporting: If you saw something, you can submit tips at cpdtip.com. You don't have to give your name.
The reality of the last weekend shootings in Chicago is that they represent a city in transition. The numbers are getting better, but the human cost remains high. Staying engaged with local block clubs and attending CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) meetings is the best way for residents to reclaim their streets from the cycle of violence. Keep your eyes open, look out for your neighbors, and use the official channels to stay updated on the investigations.