Chicago Police Respond to Large Teen Gathering; 21 Shot, Five Officers Struck by Car

Chicago police responded to a large gathering of teens near Roosevelt Road and Loomis Street in the University Village area early Saturday morning. Justin Peters, head of Chitown Crime Chasers, estimated about 500 people were present. Officers from multiple districts were called in after the crowd grew and fights broke out.

Westbound Roosevelt Road was reopened. Three minutes later, an 18-year-old driving a blue sedan the wrong way struck officers and others at Loomis Street. Peters said his violence-prevention team was pushing the crowd back when the car drove through. Five officers were hospitalized; all are listed in fair condition. The driver was arrested and a weapon was recovered.

Separate gunfire incidents across Chicago left 21 people shot, including children, over the weekend. Police had been managing the Roosevelt-Loomis gathering since Saturday night and had begun towing vehicles to limit arrivals. Gunshots were reported at the scene. The driver faces charges related to the vehicle incident.