Chicago Hits 300+ Murder Milestone for 2016

"The cause of the violence traces back decades."

Over Father's Day weekend, the city of Chicago recorded its 300th murder and beyond for a total count of 306 homicides so far in 2016.

The city recorded its 300th homicide this weekend and went on to record six others over a 60-hour period that saw 59 people shot, 13 fatally, from Friday afternoon through early Monday morning.

So far this year, about 1,800 people have been shot across the city and more than 200 of those wounded have died of their wounds, according to records kept by the Chicago Tribune. A total of 306 people have been killed this year by shooting, stabbing or other means, Tribune records show.

The Chicago Police Department is expecting that crime would "intensify" during the summer months. In late May, the police issued a statement saying:

"As we look toward the summer months, Superintendent Johnson has made it very clear that the violence will not be tolerated - period. The cause of the violence traces back decades, and everyone has a role to play in fixing it - police working with parents, judges, residents, clergy, community leaders, and others. Put simply, we need more values, fewer guns and stronger sentences against violence offenders."

When that statement was made, the murder count for the city was at 244. Seems like the violence will be tolerated.

Issues