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Authorities identify 16-year-old killed during shootout between two cars in Lake ViewSun-Times Wireon October 7, 2021 at 3:05 pm

A man was killed in a shootout, Oct. 4, 2021, in Lake View. | Andy Boyle/Sun-Times.

The victim was riding in a car eastbound on West Irving Park Road, when shots were exchanged with people in a Dodge sedan, police said,

Authorities have identified a 16-year-old boy who was killed when shots were exchanged between two cars in Lake View on the North Side Monday night.

Joseph Christopher Sunpongo was riding in a car going east on West Irving Park Road around 10:50 p.m. when shots were fired from a Dodge sedan and someone in the car returned fire, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

The car crashed into a parked car in the 4000 block of North Ashland Avenue, police said. The driver ran off and the boy, shot in the head, was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center and pronounced dead.

A gun was found inside the car, police said.

No arrest was reported.

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Authorities identify 16-year-old killed during shootout between two cars in Lake ViewSun-Times Wireon October 7, 2021 at 3:05 pm Read More »

Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane, Seth Jones named to 2022 U.S. Olympic hockey teamBen Popeon October 7, 2021 at 3:27 pm

Now Blackhawks teammates, Seth Jones and Patrick Kane will also play together on the US Olympic team. | AP Photos

Kane and Jones, along with Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, were part of the team’s first player announcement Thursday.

Two of the three main faces of the U.S. men’s hockey team in the 2022 Winter Olympics will be Blackhawks.

Forward Patrick Kane and defenseman Seth Jones, along with Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, composed the team’s first player announcement Thursday.

The news doesn’t come as a surprise: both were considered essentially locks to be on the team come February, and Hawks general manager Stan Bowman is also the U.S. Olympic GM.

“It’s no secret we’re excited about the prospects of our team for the 2022 Games,” Bowman said in a statement. “Patrick, Auston and Seth reflect the high level of talent that will make up our final roster as we strive to bring gold back home to the U.S.”

Kane played for Team USA in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, too, scoring nine points in 12 total games across those two tournaments. And while this will be Jones’ first Olympic appearance — he was just a rookie in 2014, the last time the NHL participated — he’s cemented himself as one of the top American defensemen for years now.

But the extremely early timing of the announcement, before the 2021-22 NHL regular season even begins, is notable. Both Hawks will clearly be major parts of the marketing leading up to the Games, which are scheduled for Feb. 4-20, 2022, in Beijing.

This story will be updated.

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Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane, Seth Jones named to 2022 U.S. Olympic hockey teamBen Popeon October 7, 2021 at 3:27 pm Read More »

Previewing Week 7’s top high school football gamesMike Clarkon October 7, 2021 at 2:50 pm

Bolingbrook quarterback Bobby Ervin (10) finds an open receiver against Homewood-Flossmoor. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

A look at this weekend’s five best games.

No. 3 Joliet Catholic at No. 2 Brother Rice, 6 p.m. Friday

The Blue gets most of the attention in the CCL/ESCC super conference but there are teams in other divisions with big playoff dreams too, including St. Rita and Fenwick. But the one getting the most attention statewide is Class 4A favorite Joliet Catholic (6-0), which gets its biggest test of the regular season here. Illinois-bound running back Jordan Anderson is back after missing time with an injury and ran for 133 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries vs. St. Laurence last week. Linebacker Malachi Hood is a fellow Illini recruit. Quarterback Jack Lausch of Brother Rice (5-1), headed to Notre Dame to play football and baseball, is at his best in big games. Against Loyola and Mount Carmel, he had 810 yards of total offense and 10 TDs.

No. 15 Lockport at No. 18 Bolingbrook, 6 p.m. Friday

Lockport (6-0, 2-0 Southwest Suburban Blue) has been one of the season’s feel-good stories under third-year coach George Czart, clinching its first IHSA playoff berth since 2016. Identical twins Cody and Cole Silzer, both headed to Eastern Illinois, and returning state wrestling champ Andrew Blackburn-Forst are defensive line anchors for a unit that has allowed only 20 points all season. Bolingbrook (5-1, 2-1) has one of the state’s top juniors in safety Damon Walters, whose six offers include Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

No. 20 Hinsdale Central at No. 22 York, 7 p.m. Friday

York (6-0, 4-0 West Suburban Silver) is another team having a breakout season, highlighted by its first win over Glenbard West in 14 years, 12-10 last week in Glen Ellyn. Dual-threat quarterback Matt Vezza and linebacker Jeff Coglianese are playmakers for the Dukes, who will be in the postseason for the first time since 2011. Thomas Skokna, who scored three touchdowns last week against Downers Grove North, is someone to watch for Hinsdale Central (5-1, 3-0).

No. 8 Batavia at Geneva, 7:30 p.m. Friday

It’s rivalry week in the DuKane, with Wheaton North traveling to Wheaton Warrenville South and St. Charles East hosting crosstown rival St. Charles North. Then there’s this series, which dates back to 1913 and has been dominated lately by Batavia with 10 straight wins. The Bulldogs (6-0, 4-0) have a balanced offense led by running back Jalen Buckley, who has 850 total yards and 10 TDs, and sophomore quarterback Ryan Boe, who has completed 71% of his passes for 966 yards and 11 touchdowns. Geneva (4-2, 2-2), led by first-year coach Troy Thorgesen, is yet another team having a bounceback season and needs one win to become playoff-eligible for the first time since 2015.

Morgan Park vs. Simeon, 1 p.m. Saturday at Gately

The Battle of Vincennes is back for the first time since 2019 after being canceled because of COVID this spring. Both teams look different from their last meeting with some younger standouts leading the way. This is a chance to see two of the best up-and-coming receivers in the state. Simeon (3-3, 3-0 Illini Red Bird) has four-star junior Malik Elzy, whose 13 offers include Notre Dame and four SEC schools (Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt). Morgan Park (3-3, 2-1) has sophomore Tysean Griffin, who has two SEC offers of his own (Arkansas, Tennessee).

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Previewing Week 7’s top high school football gamesMike Clarkon October 7, 2021 at 2:50 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears trade quarterback Andy Dalton in these 2 dealsRyan Heckmanon October 7, 2021 at 1:00 pm

It is officially a new era for the Chicago Bears. Just two days after reiterating that Andy Dalton was his starter when healthy, head coach Matt Nagy turned the tables. On Wednesday, Nagy confirmed that Justin Fields would be the team’s starting quarterback going forward. It was a move that came far too late, and […] Chicago Bears trade quarterback Andy Dalton in these 2 deals – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More

Chicago Bears trade quarterback Andy Dalton in these 2 dealsRyan Heckmanon October 7, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

10 shot Wednesday in ChicagoSun-Times Wireon October 7, 2021 at 12:24 pm

Ten people were shot October 6, 2021 in Chicago. | Sun-Times file

A 15-year-old girl and a man were wounded in a shooting in the 5700 block of South Justine Street when several people approached and opened fire.

Ten people were wounded in shootings Wednesday across Chicago, including two teenagers.

A 21-year-old man was critically hurt in a shooting early Wednesday in North Center.

The man was driving about 2 a.m. in the 4400 block of North Lincoln Avenue when someone inside a white Audi SUV fired shots at him, causing him to crash into a tree, meter box and restaurant door, Chicago police said.

The man left his car and threw a gun and drugs before he was apprehended by officers, police said. He wastransported to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the neck.

A 15-year-old girl and a man were wounded in a shooting Wednesday afternoon in Englewood on the South Side.

They were near the street in the 5700 block of South Justine Street when several people approached and opened fire about 5:45 p.m., Chicago police said.

The teen was struck in the thigh and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition, police said. A 40-year-old man was shot in the back and went to St. Bernard Hospital, where he was in critical condition.

Wednesday night, a 13-year old boy was wounded in a shooting on the Near West Side.

The boy was walking in the 6800 block of South Wolcott Avenue when two people came out of a gangway and fired shots, police said.

He was struck in the leg and abdomen and was taken to Comer’s Children Hospital in fair condition, police said.

At least six others were wounded in citywide gun violence.

Eight people were shot, one fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.

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10 shot Wednesday in ChicagoSun-Times Wireon October 7, 2021 at 12:24 pm Read More »

Two 15-year-old boys and ride-share driver struck by stray gunfire from car on Near North SideSun-Times Wireon October 7, 2021 at 11:29 am

Three people were shot October 7, 2021 in the Near North Side. | Adobe Stock Photo

The boys were standing on the sidewalk in the 900 block of North Orleans Street when someone in a red Dodge Charger fired at a gray car early Thursday.

Two 15-year-old boys and a ride share driver were shot on the Near North Side early Thursday, apparently hit by stray gunfire when someone in a passing car fired shots at another car.

The boys were standing on the sidewalk in the 900 block of North Orleans Street when someone in a red Dodge Charger fired at a gray car about 2:15 a.m., Chicago police said.

One boy was hit in the leg and the other was shot in the leg and foot, police said. They were taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital in fair condition.

A 38-year-old ride share driver was also shot while waiting for his passengers, police said. He was struck in the hand and was transported Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition.

No one was in custody.

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Two 15-year-old boys and ride-share driver struck by stray gunfire from car on Near North SideSun-Times Wireon October 7, 2021 at 11:29 am Read More »