Friday night in downtown Chicago was supposed to be full of holiday energy. The city had just wrapped up its official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony — crowds were out, families were taking pictures, and the Loop was alive. But minutes later, chaos broke the celebration. Shots rang out near the 100 block of North State Street just before 10 p.m., leaving at least seven people shot, according to a Chicago alderman. Police confirmed at least two victims at the scene, right outside ABC7’s State Street studio, where staff inside the newsroom said they could hear the gunfire as it happened.
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This wasn’t some abandoned block in the middle of the night — this was one of the busiest areas of the city, filled with residents, tourists, workers, and kids just enjoying a Chicago tradition. And yet violence still found its way into the moment.
As CPD continues collecting details, the bigger conversation is already here: How do we make our public events genuinely safe? What does community accountability look like when violence shows up in crowds, not just corners? And as we move deeper into the holiday season, how do we balance celebration with the reality of what’s happening in our city?
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This isn’t about blame — it’s about solutions, safety, and the future of public spaces we all share.
