One killed, 23 wounded; victim was father of 2 young children
Staff report
No arrests have been made as of press time in connection with a mass shooting at a strip mall in unincorporated DuPage County near Willowbrook early Sunday morning, June 18.
The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office said an unknown number of suspects fired multiple rounds from multiple weapons into a large crowd at around 12:30 a.m. during a gathering to commemorate Juneteenth held in the parking lot at the mall, located near Honeysuckle Lane and Route 83.
Approximately 23 people were wounded by gunfire. Victims were taken to hospitals in DuPage, Cook and Will counties. One man, identified as 31-year-old Reggie Meadows, died after suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Deputy Chief Eric Swanson of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office said in a news conference June 18 that at least two other victims were in critical condition.
“The motive behind this incident is unclear,” Swanson said. “This is still an active investigation.”
“We are working around the clock to bring those responsible to justice,” the sheriff’s office said in a recent post on Twitter, urging anyone with information to call 630-407-2343.
The Juneteenth celebration started at around 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17. According to the Daily Herald, DuPage County Sheriff’s deputies had been monitoring the celebration, but responded to a 911 call of a fight that had broken out nearby. While deputies were investigating that call, they heard gunshots and returned immediately to the celebration.
“Out of nowhere, there was a major gunfight for like 30 seconds. I’d say, 60 plus rounds. You could tell it was two different groups of people shooting at each other,” one witness, Bartosz Majerczyk, told ABC 7 Eyewitness News.
Another witness, who said she was at the celebration, told ABC 7 Eyewitness News “everybody started running” when the gunfire erupted.
“There was a man. He fell on top of me. He had a gunshot wound to his leg. It was like something you can’t imagine,” she said.
In a statement, Gov JB Pritzker said he is closely monitoring the shooting.
“Gathering for a holiday celebration should be a joyful occasion, not a time when gunfire erupts and families are forced to run for safety,” Pritzker said. “As I’ve said time and time again, gun violence is a public health emergency in this country and I remain committed to banning these dangerous weapons and making our state safer for everyone.”
Meadows was described as a “devoted father whose life was tragically taken from us amidst a Juneteenth celebration” on a GoFundMe page set up to provide support to his two young children, RJ and Gabby.
He was “a beacon of love and strength, fell victim to a devastating crossfire incident that shattered the peace and joy of what should have been a day of celebration. Amidst the chaos, Reggie tragically lost his life, leaving an indelible mark of grief on his family and community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the other victims who were injured, as we mourn the loss of Reggie, a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many.”
