Chicago police detained 18 people after massive, unruly crowds flooded the Loop following Friday evening’s traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony, an hours-long disturbance that coincided with two gunshot events that injured eight young people and a teenager dead.
According to court records, three of the arrests included adults accused of carrying firearms in the Loop that night, but none were tied to the shootings.
The shootings started around 9:50 p.m., when a gunman opened fire near the Chicago Theatre marquee, injuring seven juveniles on State Street.
Minutes later, 14-year-old Armani Floyd was fatally shot and an 18-year-old man was injured in an incident on the 100 block of South Dearborn.
Moments after the second gunshot, officers in the 200 block of South Dearborn allegedly saw 19-year-old Joelon Matthews near the shooting site wearing a full face mask and noticed a bulge on his waistband, according to a CPD report.
When cops attempted to stop him, he walked away, claiming his brother had been wounded, and the gunman fled in another direction, according to the report.
The arrest report states that officers found a Glock handgun in his belt. Judge James Murphy III ordered him held on the accusation of aggravated unauthorized possession of a weapon.
About ten minutes later, authorities stopped 18-year-old Carvel Jones Jr. in the 400 block of South Clark Street because he was dressed like someone wanted in connection with the tragic incident, according to his arrest record. Jones allegedly gripped his left jacket pocket and fled as authorities approached.
Cops say he pulled a revolver from his pocket and discarded it as he turned from Clark Street to Ida B. Wells Drive. Police allegedly discovered a loaded 10mm handgun in that spot and arrested Jones.
Judge Antara Riera held him on two counts of illegal possession of a weapon.
The third firearm arrest occurred just after midnight on Saturday, as officers continued to monitor the Loop following the shootings.
Police stated a group of young people had been standing near State and Adams for about 20 minutes, perhaps breaking the city’s curfew legislation.
As cops approached, Izaivion Bell, 19, “appeared startled” and fled, according to his arrest report. Several cops reported detecting a bulge in his waistline and informed a nearby group of about 30 officers, who apprehended him.
According to a CPD report, officers seized a loaded ghost pistol with a 31-round extended magazine and a laser attachment. Bell allegedly stated that he found the gun in an alley in the Loop and carried it in his waistband rather than turning it over.
Judge Murphy ordered his detention on two charges of unlawful possession of a weapon.
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