One person is dead and at least 20 were injured in a shooting at an Illinois Juneteenth celebration early Sunday morning June 18, 2023, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
Last night, just before 12:30 a.m. CDT, deputies with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about multiple shots being fired in the Willowbrook area, where a Juneteenth celebration was taking place. Upon arrival, they observed multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
“Initially, I could see the scene coming down the street, and I knew we were going to have a significant response in the area,” said Battalion Chief Joe Ostrander with the Tri-State Fire Protection District. At least 20 individuals were injured, according to the DuPage County Sheriff. According to Ostrander, injuries ranged from minor scrapes to more severe injuries.
At least 10 people were transported to hospitals while many others self-transported. Fire officials said two victims are in critical condition.
“It was supposed to be a Juneteenth celebration,” Markeshia Avery, a witness to the shooting, told WGN. She explained they were getting ready to leave when gunshots rang out.
The motive for the shooting remains unknown, and authorities would not comment on the circumstances leading up to the shooting or the number of gunmen they believe were involved, stating that the investigation is ongoing.
What is Juneteenth ?
Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also called Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day or Juneteenth Independence Day. The name “Juneteenth” references the date of the holiday, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth.”
Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States. Legislation establishing the holiday was passed by Congress on June 16, 2021, and signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden the following day.
Juneteenth had previously been established as a state holiday in Texas in 1980, with a number of other states later declaring it a state holiday or day of observance.
Juneteenth celebrations in the United States typically include prayer and religious services, speeches, educational events, family gatherings and picnics, and festivals with food, music, and dancing. The day is also celebrated outside the United States and is used to recognize the end of slavery as well as to celebrate African American culture and achievements.
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