The Brief Little Village leaders are demanding action after three recent shootings, including the killing of 22-year-old Abbygail Somoza and a drive-by that wounded four people. Community leaders say the violence has left residents fearful and are calling for more mental health resources and stronger protections for witnesses and victims. The Little Village Community Council is organizing a peace march as police continue investigating the shootings, with no new updates announced.



Community leaders in Little Village are demanding action after three shooting incidents in a matter of days, including the killing of a 22-year-old woman and a drive-by attack that wounded four people.

The recent violence has raised concerns about possible gang involvement, though authorities have not confirmed a connection between the incidents.

String of violence in Little Village

The backstory:

Francisco Somoza is still grieving the loss of his daughter, Abbygail Somoza, who was shot outside her home on Oct. 10 while preparing Halloween decorations with her mother.

 It's a hard pain. I always saw the news with all these kids dying. I never felt that pain,  Francisco Somoza said.

Abbygail's father has raised the possibility that his daughter was caught in the crossfire of gang-related violence.

 They fight for streets, for property that don't belong to them. I don't know,  he said.

Earlier this month, an off-duty Chicago police officer was involved in a shooting near 24th Street and Rockwell Street.

Days after Abbygail's death, four people were wounded in a drive-by shooting near 26th Street and Pulaski Road. Police said a white sedan pulled up and someone inside opened fire.

Baltazar Enriquez, president of the Little Village Community Council, said the recent violence has left community leaders feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.

 Little Village is on fire and all we have is a bucket of water. How did they expect us to turn off the fire?  Enriquez said.

Enriquez said he has been urging city leaders to invest in mental health resources to address the underlying causes of violence.

 But it falls
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