CHICAGO, IL — A confrontation on Chicago’s northwest side turned violent late Friday night when a concealed carry holder used his firearm in self-defense, resulting in four people, including himself, being critically injured.
The incident occurred around 11:23 p.m. in the 4700 block of W. Wrightwood Avenue in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. Police reported that a 43-year-old man was involved in a verbal altercation in front of his home with three acquaintances. The disagreement escalated when the three men began to physically attack him.
In response, the homeowner, who is a licensed concealed carry holder, drew his firearm and shot his assailants. A 29-year-old man was hit five times in the torso and is in critical condition at Mt. Sinai Hospital. A 22-year-old received a gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to Masonic Hospital, also in critical condition. Additionally, a 55-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the neck and was transported to Masonic Hospital in critical state.
The homeowner himself sustained severe blunt force trauma to the head and body and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition.
A handgun was recovered at the scene, and police confirmed that the homeowner was legally carrying it at the time of the incident. The investigation into the shootings is ongoing, as authorities work to piece together the details of the altercation.
Lots of details missing (through no fault of the author), so we don’t know the particulars but this is a good example of when it is time to try to walk away from the argument and go inside. They may not have let him go, or may even have tried to follow him into the house, we just don’t know but if you can avoid the fight, always try to do so. On the other hand, the guy would probably be dead if he hadn’t been armed.