Chicago City Wire

A series of shootings that rattled Washington Park on Sunday evening spilled over into the University of Chicago Medical Center’s Hyde Park Adult Emergency Department. Hospital officials noted a war zone-like environment after a group of 15-20 people entered the hospital and attacked those injured in the shootings as medical personnel gave them aid. Fights spilled into patient treatment zones, resulting in injuries to three hospital employees. 

“As you may have heard, multiple shootings occurred in Washington Park on Sunday evening and we are writing to make the broader University of Chicago Medicine community aware of a security incident that occurred shortly after in the Hyde Park Adult Emergency Department. A thorough assessment of the incident is underway,” a memo addressed to the University of Chicago Medical Center and BSD Faculty and Staff read. “The shootings occurred just after 8 p.m. at 57th Street and Payne Drive, one block from the Medical Center. 

“A crowd gathered on Maryland Avenue while the wounded patients were being taken inside and treated. At 8:20 p.m., a group of 15-20 people entered the Adult ED entrance waiting room and moved into patient treatment areas where fighting broke out, prompting an exterior lockdown of the department. Three ED employees reported injuries; a person who was with the group that entered the ED also reported being injured. Our Public Safety team, in coordination with UCPD, removed the entire group by 8:22 p.m., less than two minutes after their arrival into the clinical space. After a thorough search of the Adult ED, no weapons were found inside or on any person who entered the building during the altercation. Patient care continued throughout the ED during the event and no other area of campus was affected.” 

The hospital noted it was investigating the issue further. “Be assured, patient and employee safety is our organization’s top priority, and we are working to thoroughly investigate the situation.”

"As you may have heard, multiple shootings occurred in Washington Park on Sunday evening and we are writing to make the broader University of Chicago Medicine community aware of a security incident that occurred shortly after in the Hyde Park Adult Emergency Department. A thorough assessment of the incident is underway."

The University of Chicago Medical Center noted it is enhancing security measures following the emergency room brawl. After the fight prompted a lockdown of the emergency department and a reassessment of security protocols by UChicago Medicine.

Incidents of mob violence have been wracking the city since April. However, Mayor Brandon Johnson has asked Illinoisans to absolve those responsible.

Johnson’s first month in office was marred by a significant surge in crime, with a notable 38% increase compared to the same period last year. Alarming statistics reveal a staggering 153% spike in vehicle thefts, a 17% rise in aggravated battery cases, a 12% jump in burglaries, and a 5% increase in shootings. Murders saw a slight 5% decrease, resulting in just three fewer fatalities. Despite the mayor’s active presence on social media covering various topics, scant attention has been given to public safety and crime-related concerns. Johnson’s prior support for defunding the police, coupled with a lack of action to address the ongoing crime wave, raises doubts about his approach to tackling this pressing issue.