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Two people were killed, and thirteen others were wounded in shootings Oct. 19, 2021, in Chicago. | File photo

A woman was fatally shot in a drive-by in Chicago Lawn.

Two people were killed, and thirteen others were wounded in shootings Tuesday in Chicago, including a woman who was fatally shot in Chicago Lawn on the South Side.

She was driving about 10:20 p.m. in the 3400 block of West 60th Place when someone inside a black Jeep pulled alongside her and opened fire, striking her in the head, Chicago police said. She was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead. Her name hasn’t been released, and she has been listed as a Jane Doe.

A man was killed in a shooting in West Garfield Park. The 66-year-old was walking about 7:50 a.m. in the 4600 block of West Van Buren Street when a white van pulled up and someone inside opened fire, police said. The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released.

In non-fatal shootings, a 6-year-old girl was grazed by gunfire in a drive-by in West Englewood on the South Side. The girl was sitting on a porch with family members about 9:25 p.m. in the 6600 block of South Seeley Avenue when a black Dodge Charger passed by and someone inside opened fire, grazing her twice in the arm, police said. She was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was in good condition. Police say one of the adults the girl was sitting with may have been the intended target.

A man was shot and critically wounded Tuesday evening in Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side. The 24-year-old was shot in the right side of the buttocks and left side of his body about 6 p.m. while standing on the corner in the 1000 block of North Springfield Avenue, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Less than an hour prior, a man was shot and critically wounded in a gas station parking lot in Fuller Park on the South Side. The 22-year-old was shot in his left hip and right leg about 5:15 p.m. in the 300 block of West Garfield Boulevard, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was in critical condition.

About an hour prior, a 17-year-old was shot and wounded in Morgan Park on the Far South Side. The teen was on the sidewalk about 4 p.m. in the 10900 block of South Halsted Street when someone approached him and opened fire, striking him in the left foot, police said. He was taken to Roseland Community Hospital, where he was in good condition.

A woman was in good condition after she was shot twice in Humboldt Park on the West Side. Someone fired from inside a passing black car as the 42-year-old stood on a sidewalk shortly after 1 p.m. in the 3800 block of West Thomas Street, police said. She was taken to Stroger Hospital for treatment.

In the day’s first reported shooting, two men were wounded in West Englewood on the South Side. They were standing on the sidewalk about 11:05 a.m. in the 6200 block of South Seeley Avenue when two males fired shots from a passing black sedan, police said. One man, 62, was shot in the shoulder while the other man, 27, was struck in the back and hand. Both were taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Their conditions were not immediately known.

Six others were wounded in shootings citywide.

Two people were killed, and six others were wounded in shootings Monday in Chicago.

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A 25-year-old man was charged Oct. 17, 2021, after allegedly firing shots at CPD officers in West Garfield Park. | Sun-Times file

Brian Hall was charged with felony counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm, and being in possession of a firearm as a felon.

A 25-year-old man was charged Sunday for allegedly firing shots at Chicago police officers in West Garfield Park on the West Side.

Brian Hall was charged with felony counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm, and being in possession of a firearm as a felon, Chicago police said.

Officers were in an unmarked car, Sunday, when they attempted to stop a male on the street after observing a bulge in his jacket about 9:35 p.m. in the 4200 block of West Wilcox Street, police said. The man allegedly fled and fired at officers from a gangway.

The officers were not shot and didn’t return fire, police said. No other injuries were reported.

Hall was arrested minutes later in the 4200 block of West Adams Street, after he was identified as the person who allegedly fired shots, police said. A weapon was recovered.

He is due in bond court Wednesday.

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Moon Alert

Today the full moon in Aries peaks at 9:57 a.m. Chicago time. Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. After that, the moon moves from Aries into Taurus.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Be patient dealing with others, because everyone has a short fuse — including you. That makes this the classic day for friction and thoughtless comments and retorts. Fortunately, after the moon alert is over, life gets mellow. Mellow is better.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Something might be going on behind the scenes or building up within you at a subconscious level that makes you easily irritated with others. (Perhaps they are irritating?) Bite your tongue and let this slide because once the moon alert is over, you will feel happier.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Expect difficulties dealing with friends and groups, especially female acquaintances, because the moon is at odds with several planets. However, after the moon alert is over today, the moon will be in a new sign and you will feel a big shift.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

This is a poor day to challenge parents, bosses and authority figures (including the police). Don’t even go there. If you argue with someone in power, it could be nasty. After the moon alert is over, life is much easier! Then you can ask for permission or approval. (And probably get it.)

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Steer clear of controversial subjects like politics, religion and racial issues because they will be intense and nasty. Nothing will be resolved. (There are none so deaf as those who are wearing headphones.) After the moon alert, you will be noticed.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Steer clear of disputes about shared property, inheritances and insurance issues today until the moon alert is over. Then you might be surprised at how easy it is to explore new ideas and put a new spin on things. Sweet!

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Today you need to cooperate and be prepared to go more than halfway when dealing with others. This means you have to avoid dissension and arguments. However, after the moon alert is over, everything will be more relaxed and supportive. Note to self: Be patient.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Avoid arguments about health issues, pets or anything related to your job or your work today. These might easily arise. The fact is it will be pointless to pursue them. (Trust me.) However, after the moon alert is over, you will establish an understanding by cooperating with someone.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Lovers’ spats, quarrels about kids and intense debates related to sports or social plans might take place. Definitely no fun. Therefore, be patient and bite your tongue. After the moon alert is over, you will be happier and ready to get things done.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Avoid quarrels with authority figures, bosses, parents, teachers and the police today. Likewise, steer clear of domestic friction because this will accomplish nothing and simply make everyone miserable. After the moon alert is over, it’s a lovely day for your sign.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

You might be argumentative today when talking to daily contacts, siblings and relatives. Be careful because this could trigger an accident-prone situation, especially driving. After the moon alert is over, you will enjoy mellow times at home or with family members.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Financial difficulties might arise today. Take note of the moon alert and restrict spending to food and gas. However, once the moon alert is over, it’s all systems go for your sign. Plus, you will be eager and happy to talk to others because you have something to say.

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor John Krasinski (1979) shares your birthday. You are fun-loving and upbeat. You have a genuine quality about you that makes people trust you. People gravitate to you because you are friendly, compassionate and fair-minded. This is a powerful year! Expect a promotion, an award or kudos for your efforts. You are certainly getting the recognition you deserve. This spotlight is on you now!

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A woman was shot and killed Tuesday night on the South Side. | Sun-times file

The 21-year-old was driving about 10:20 p.m. in the 3400 block of West 60th Place when someone inside a black Jeep pulled alongside her and opened fire, striking her in the head, police said.

A woman was fatally shot Tuesday night in Chicago Lawn on the South Side.

The 21-year-old was driving about 10:20 p.m. in the 3400 block of West 60th Place when someone inside a black Jeep pulled alongside her and opened fire, striking her in the head, Chicago police said.

She was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead, police said. Her name hasn’t been released yet.

No one was in custody.

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A 6-year-old girl was grazed in a drive-by shooting Tuesday night on the South Side. | Sun-Times file photo

The girl was sitting on a porch with family members about 9:25 p.m. in the 6600 block of South Seeley Avenue when a black Dodge Charger passed by and someone inside opened fire, Chicago police said.

A 6-year-old girl was grazed by gunfire in a drive-by Tuesday night in West Englewood on the South Side.

The girl was sitting on a porch with family members about 9:25 p.m. in the 6600 block of South Seeley Avenue when a black Dodge Charger passed by and someone inside opened fire, grazing her twice in the arm, Chicago police said.

She was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was in good condition, police said.

Police say one of the adults the girl was sitting with may have been the intended target.

No one was in custody.

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The Islanders scored three times in the third period to beat the Blackhawks 4-0. | Getty

The Hawks remained winless through games after a 4-1 loss spoiled what, through the first two periods, looked like a better effort.

Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton walked out to a chorus of boos during coach and player introductions Tuesday. Based on his expression, he seemed to know it was coming.

The result that later sent fans heading for the exits well before the final horn — a 4-1 loss to the Islanders, dealing the Hawks their fourth straight defeat to open the season — won’t help his reputation.

The Hawks saw countless great looks denied by Isles goalie Ilya Sorokin before unraveling in the third period, watching a narrow 1-0 deficit devolve into a rout thanks to three Isles goals in an 11-minute span.

The Hawks did make it through not only the game’s first 20 seconds but the entire first period unscathed, actually dominating the Isles to the tune of an 18-9 advantage in shots on goal in the frame.

A new, seemingly nonsensical line concocted in some strange depths of Colliton’s brain — Alex DeBrincat with Henrik Borgstrom and Mike Hardman — actually clicked immediately. Borgstrom fed DeBrincat for two Grade-A chances within the game’s opening minutes.

But even that silver lining didn’t last long; Mike Hardman left the game in the third period looking wobbly and disoriented after a high hit.

When Patrick Kane complained Saturday about the NHL’s schedule-making disadvantaging the Hawks by making them the opponent for three consecutive home openers to start the season, he made it imperative the Hawks win their own home opener to support his argument. And they did not.

The Hawks have now trailed for 193 minutes so far this season and led for exactly zero. They’ve been outscored 15-3 during five-on-five play. Their emphasis entering Tuesday on playing more “boring” hockey lasted only part of the game.

Last season, too, the Hawks lost their first four games — then actually rallied to get above .500 after 21 games.

But relatively few teams have started 0-3-1 and gone on to make the playoffs — including last season’s Hawks, of course — and the playoffs were an explicit expectation of general manager Stan Bowman entering this season.

Notes

The Hawks sent young defenseman Ian Mitchell down to the AHL simultaneously with their Hardman recall Monday.
The late Tony Esposito, the Hawks’ all-time winningest goaltender who died in August at age 78, was honored with a pregame tribute.
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It was only four games, but the Bulls finished with the top defense in the preseason. Does that carry weight when the games matter?

It was a nice badge to earn, but the Bulls know it doesn’t mean squat when the ball is tossed up Wednesday in Detroit.

That doesn’t mean they were completely discounting finishing with the best defense in the league throughout the preseason.

“Just a stepping stone,” guard Lonzo Ball said, when that point was made to him on Tuesday. “We’ve just got to build on it every day. Defense is more about effort to me, and just playing for one another.”

If they can play with that mentality when the games matter, both the Bulls players and coaches know that if the defense is top rated, there will be enough offensive firepower to make the roster lethal on both ends of the floor.

That’s what Ball and Alex Caruso have been stressing to their new teammates.

“Defense is just a lot of effort at the forefront,” Caruso said. “You’ve got to care, the care factor has to be high, and after that be disciplined in the stuff that you do and put us in good schemes, good protections for us to execute, and if we go out there and play hard a lot of that takes care of itself.”

What will be interesting to watch – starting against the Pistons – is yes, the Bulls will be undersized against most teams overall, but they also have a lot of wing and backcourt players the same size and with athletic ability. That should allow the Bulls to easily switch.

The key, however, will be playing physical, especially against those taller teams.

“I think for us it’s just going to be being physical,” Ball said. “It’s just about getting into the ball and playing with that pride.”

Minute man

Second-year forward Patrick Williams is scheduled to get the start in Detroit on Wednesday, but like he did in the preseason finale, there will be close eyes on his minutes.

Williams severely sprained his left ankle before the start of camp, and was sidelined for weeks. His conditioning did look a bit iffy against Memphis, but that was to be expected.

“I think it’s something that the medical will want to evaluate,” coach Billy Donovan said. “I think coming into the first Memphis game there was a feeling of maybe 18 to 24 minutes, somewhere in there.

“We’ll probably talk on our way to Detroit about what that would probably look like minute-wise, if there is a minute restriction.”

Sky high

Veteran guard DeMar DeRozan has a friendship with Candace Parker, so of course he was thrilled to see her win the WNBA Championship with the Sky.

“It’s incredible,” DeRozan said. “Especially for Candace, having a relationship, friendship with Candace, seeing her go from LA to Chicago, you come back home and win a championship. Her story has definitely been incredible. I’ve been following her whole career. To be able to witness that, that’s incredible. That’s what it’s all about, supporting women’s basketball and especially Chicago Sky in a city I’ve just come to, to witness that was awesome.”

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Mayor Lori Lightfoot reacts to a question about Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, who told FOP members to ignore the city’s vaccine reporting mandate, during a press conference on Friday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

A disinclination to adhere to city vaccine policy is putting Chicago in danger, even as COVID-19 has killed one in 500 Illinoisans.

If crime trended in a new direction and the mayor called for action, we wouldn’t expect police to refuse.

If fires were suddenly getting worse, we wouldn’t expect firefighters to ignore alarms because they were offended by a mayoral decree.

We would think that — no matter what fine print some lawyers thought they found in a union contract suggesting that first responders can slough off mayoral orders.

Yet a similar disinclination to adhere to city vaccine policy is putting Chicago in danger, even as COVID-19 has killed one in 500 Illinoisans. John Catanzara, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago, earlier told police officers to ignore Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s order that city employees report their vaccination status by last Friday.

As reporters Fran Spielman and Mitch Dudek wrote in Tuesday’s Chicago Sun-Times, the police department registered the lowest compliance rate among all city departments, with only 64.4% reporting their vaccination status to the city. The fire department was second lowest, at 72%.

The word “irresponsible” is just not strong enough to describe what is going on here.

Let’s make it clear: No one is insisting on vaccinations. Employees can opt for twice-weekly testing through the end of the year. And we understand unions by their nature don’t like their employers mandating things.

But allowing first responders, who deal with the public every day, to remain unvaccinated and untested puts city residents at risk. The virus spreads easily. Those with compromised immune systems can die, as just happened to Colin Powell, the late retired general and former secretary of state. Children are vulnerable because they have not yet been vaccinated.

First responders are people who put their lives on the line every day. They run into danger, not from it. As Chicago’s gun violence rages, police officers get shot.

Yet the virus is more deadly than bullets. Across the country, COVID-19 has killed more than 230 police officers this year, more than four times as many as who have been killed by guns, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Both this year and last year, more law enforcement officers have died from COVID-19 than from other causes.

First responders should be getting vaccinated, if only to protect their own health and lives. If they refuse, they put the entire community at risk.

On Friday, a judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Catanzara from publicly encouraging members not to report their COVID-19 vaccine status to the city. It’s time for the FOP to move from an advocacy role to an educational one, telling members who don’t comply that they could lose pay and eventually their jobs. For those who did not report their vaccination status, the disciplinary process has begun at police headquarters.

On Monday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a fourth union agreement with state workers to get them vaccinated, although the largest union, AFSME, has not yet come to terms. Among other measures, workers who catch the coronavirus get time off to recover without using up sick days.

Here’s the thing about COVID-19: Every time elected officials think they know where the virus is headed, they are surprised. They are caught flat-footed by unexpected downturns, sudden spikes, breakouts in some areas, declines in others. The numbers of sick and dying people have been down in Illinois lately, but no one can say with certainty they will continue to trend downward, even with three effective vaccines. Colder weather is coming. There might be another surge, or another variant.

That means everyone needs to be pulling together to stop the spread of COVID-19. How does refusing to even report one’s vaccination status help?

Pretty much every time Pritzker gives a news conference, someone asks when we can all stop wearing masks, and Pritzker replies when the science shows it is safe. On Monday, he said he’d like to get rid of some mandates in time for the holidays. That’s understandable. People are tired of wearing masks.

As you look around, you see people around the city and county abiding by the rules. They are wearing masks indoors, even though they wish they didn’t have to. They do it to keep themselves and others safe, which is the very idea of community.

First responders should be doing the same thing. They should prioritize their own safety and the safety of the communities they serve.

They should report their vaccine status and help the city move on.

Send letters to [email protected].

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