Lightfoot Imposes Strict Curfew After Fatal Chicago Shooting Results in 1 Death at 'The Bean'

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has ordered the implementation of a strict curfew after a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot near the famous "The Bean" sculpture in the region's Millennium Park on Saturday.

The city's police have already taken two suspects into custody in relation to the horrific incident but authorities have not yet released their identities or the motive for the shooting. The victim, identified as Seandell Holliday, was shot at the popular tourist attraction at around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Strict Curfew After Fatal Shooting

In a statement on Saturday evening, Lightfoot expressed her sympathies for the senseless loss of life that she called "utterly unacceptable." The Democrat said that the victim's mother was grief-stricken and was mourning the loss of her child while searching for answers.

Lightfoot also said that her administration was planning to take "additional actions" to prevent future shootings but has not yet revealed any details. Holliday was one of many Chicago teenagers who were shot this weekend. At least three others were shot in incidents across the city between Friday and Saturday, as per Fox News.

The strict curfew bans unaccompanied minors from visiting Millennium Park after 6:00 p.m. starting from Thursday and up until Sunday. The policy aims to keep large crowds of teenagers from creating chaos in the area and has inspired criticism from civil libertarians.

The move is seen as reminiscent of the Chicago mayor's decision throughout 2020 to raise bridges downtown as a way to keep potential looters or other criminals out of the Loop. It incited fierce criticism from residents who argued that the city was making downtown inhospitable to Black and brown residents who come from the South and West sides. However, Lightfoot defended that the bridge raising was necessary to prevent civil unrest.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Lightfoot's statement included her suspicions that an overwhelming majority of the youth who were in the Park were only there to have a good time. She noted, however, that it quickly devolved into a scene of chaos and unnecessary violence, arguing that the city cannot allow any more public spaces to become platforms for danger.

Chicago Gun Violence

Lightfoot said that any person who was coming into Chicago's public spaces should expect to enjoy them peacefully. She also urged people to respect and exhibit basic community norms of decency. The official said that her administration will not accept anything less and will strive to maintain peace and order.

Holliday was in the 200-block of East Randolph Street when he was suddenly shot in the chest, the Chicago Police Department said. Officials quickly transported the victim to Lurie Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police questioned the two suspects they arrested and said they were able to recover at least two firearms. Area detectives have also begun investigating the shooting prior to an 18- to 20-year-old man and an 18-year-old man who were walking in the 300-block of South State Street when two boys suddenly opened fire at them, ABC7 Chicago reported.