Man Fatally Shot on Chicago’s West Side; Police Investigating and Suspect at Large
CHICAGO, IL — June 25, 2025 — A somber evening has fallen over Chicago’s West Side as police investigate the fatal shooting of a man who was gunned down just before nightfall. The shooting occurred in the city’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, a community already grappling with ongoing concerns about gun violence.
According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to a call of shots fired around 6:45 p.m. in the 3100 block of West Madison Street. Upon arrival, they found a man in his 30s lying on the sidewalk, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and upper body. Emergency medical services rushed to the scene, but despite resuscitation efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The identity of the victim has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. Witnesses described the area as chaotic in the moments after the gunfire, with bystanders ducking for cover and cars speeding away from the scene.
“We were just sitting outside, enjoying the breeze, when we heard what sounded like firecrackers — but then people started screaming,” said Keisha Taylor, a nearby resident. “It’s heartbreaking. You never get used to this.”
At this time, police believe the shooting may have been targeted, though they have not confirmed a motive. No suspects are in custody, and detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residential buildings in an effort to identify the perpetrator.
Preliminary reports suggest the shooter fled the area on foot, heading eastbound. Witnesses describe a lone male suspect wearing a dark hoodie and jeans, though the exact description remains vague. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
“We are asking members of the public who may have seen or heard anything, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to reach out to our detectives,” said CPD spokesman Officer Hector Alvarez. “This victim deserves justice, and we cannot achieve that without community cooperation.”
This shooting marks yet another tragic incident in what has been a violent summer for parts of the West Side. Local leaders and activists are once again calling for increased community outreach, mental health services, and conflict resolution initiatives, in addition to more robust policing efforts.
“This isn’t just a law enforcement issue — it’s a community crisis,” said Pastor Jerome Fields of West Side Unity Church. “We’ve got to heal our neighborhoods from the inside out, and we need help from every level — local, city, and state — to do that.”
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to perform an autopsy in the coming days. Meanwhile, detectives with Area Four are leading the ongoing investigation. Police have not ruled out connections to prior incidents in the area, including several non-fatal shootings reported over the past two weeks.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Area Four detectives at (312) 746-8251 or submit anonymous tips through CPD’s tip line or online.
As Chicago continues its struggle with gun violence, the death of yet another resident — someone’s son, brother, perhaps father — serves as a painful reminder of the human toll behind the statistics. For the West Side community, tonight is another night of mourning, another name to remember, and another call for change.
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