Chicago’s Memorial Day weekend turned deadly with 24 shootings and 3 fatalities, though Mayor Johnson claims progress in the fight against the city’s notorious violence.
At a Glance
- Chicago saw 24 people shot with 3 fatalities over Memorial Day weekend, continuing the city’s struggle with violent crime
- Notable incidents included fatal shootings in Logan Square and near Humboldt Park, with suspects still at large
- Despite the violence, Mayor Brandon Johnson reported overall decreases in crime statistics, including a 24% drop in homicides
- Chicago has recorded 139 homicides so far in 2025, following 573 deaths in 2024
- Two Venezuelan nationals suspected of gang affiliations were arrested in connection with a separate mass shooting incident
Bloody Holiday Weekend in Chicago
The Memorial Day weekend in Chicago was marred by violence as 24 people were shot, including three fatalities, according to data released by the Chicago Police Department. The shootings occurred from Friday evening through Monday, continuing a troubling pattern of violence that typically spikes during holiday weekends in the city. In the Logan Square neighborhood, a fatal shooting resulted from an argument in a car, with the shooter fleeing the scene and remaining at large as of Tuesday morning.
Near Humboldt Park, another tragedy unfolded when a 46-year-old man was shot in the head. The victim’s vehicle subsequently crashed into another car and a pole. Two additional people were shot near a homeless encampment in the Humboldt Park area, while on the South Side, two individuals were shot inside their own home, highlighting the widespread nature of the violence across multiple neighborhoods.
Mayor Claims Progress Despite Ongoing Violence
Despite the holiday weekend’s toll, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has pointed to overall improvements in the city’s crime statistics. According to the mayor, violent crime in Chicago is down 21% year-to-date, with homicides down 24%, shootings down 33%, and robberies down 36%. Johnson has attributed these improvements to increased investments in public safety initiatives and the addition of 200 detectives to the police force.
“Our investments are clearly having some strong returns as violence continues to go down in the City of Chicago”, said Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The mayor further highlighted that the clearance rate for shootings and homicides in Chicago is approaching 85%, suggesting improvements in the effectiveness of law enforcement. Johnson has consistently maintained that his administration is making progress in addressing the city’s longstanding issues with violent crime, even as critics point to events like the Memorial Day weekend shootings as evidence that much work remains to be done.
Gang Activity Compounds Chicago’s Challenges
Adding to Chicago’s complex security challenges, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently arrested two Venezuelan nationals suspected of being members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization. These arrests were made in connection with a separate mass shooting incident. In total, more than a dozen suspected members of this transnational gang have been apprehended by federal authorities, pointing to the multifaceted nature of violence in Chicago.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the city has already recorded 139 homicides in 2025, following a total of 573 deaths in 2024. While Mayor Johnson has pledged to make Chicago “the safest and most affordable big city in America,” the persistent violence continues to challenge this vision. Both the mayor’s office and the Chicago Police Department have been contacted by news outlets for additional comments on the Memorial Day weekend violence and the city’s ongoing public safety strategies.
