CHICAGO—Three people were stabbed and seriously injured during a fight at an Independence Day fireworks show in Chicago and more than a dozen were injured as many of the crowd fled, police and media reports said on Friday.
A brawl broke out among a group of gang members on Thursday evening on the Navy Pier, a 3,300-foot long pier along Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline and a premier venue for community events, according to police. People had gathered there for a July Fourth fireworks display.
Two unidentified teenage boys were among the victims. A 14-year-old was stabbed in the arm and ribs, and a 15-year-old was stabbed in the armpit, police said. Both were involved in the fight, police said.
STABBING AT NAVY PIER: 3 stabbing victims and shooting victims transported. None dead.
About 12 others were injured in what was called a “stampede” of people rushing from Navy Pier restaurant. Not serious injuries.
All info from Chicago Fire. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/B8AlIqUntT
— Tara Molina (@TaraMolinaTV) July 5, 2019
A 30-year-old man who was not part of the brawl was inadvertently stabbed in the face, police said.
Police said they were looking for at least two unidentified suspects, but that no charges have been filed.
Chicago Police Spokesman Rocco Alito said officers believe that after that altercation someone threw firecrackers at the pier and others yelled “gun” or “shots fired,” spurring the “stampede.”
NAVY PIER STABBING: According to Chicago Police NONE of the 3 stabbing victims are cooperating with police. Not life-threatening injuries.
Says security screening was effective. The stabbing happened OUTSIDE secure parameter. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/4M283AIwnq
— Tara Molina (@TaraMolinaTV) July 5, 2019
As many as 14 people were injured as they tried to flee the false report of gunfire, including one person who suffered a puncture wound from an overturned table, said Sgt. Alioto. They were taken to hospital but Alioto said their injuries were not life-threatening.
Police said the two victims involved in the initial brawl were not cooperating with officials. Alioto gave no detail on the extent of their injuries, but media reports said at least one person was in critical condition.
Police: Three victims in Navy Pier stabbing are being “uncooperative” with officers https://t.co/M3e4X9p7xW pic.twitter.com/jRqMUdhN9B
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) July 5, 2019
Rachel Schar, who’s a server at the waterfront restaurant Harry Caray’s Tavern, said that during ensuing panic crowds of visitors swarmed the restaurant for at least 10 minutes to escape what they believed was an active shooter at the pier.
“It was pure chaos,” the 22-year-old told the Chicago Tribune. “I literally thought I was going to die.”
Schar said she was collecting credit cards from a party table when she heard screaming, shoes rapidly pounding the pavement and shouts about a gun and people stabbed outside. She said she was tackled during that pandemonium and then sprinted upstairs into an office.
Toddlers in Critical Condition After Fireworks Explode
In another tragic incident on July 4, two toddlers are in critical condition after fireworks exploded in their family pickup, set off by gunfire during a road rage shooting.
The incident in Houston, Texas occurred on the night of July 4.
“The car that was struck was occupied by a Hispanic female of four: a mom, dad, a 1-year-old, and one 3-year-old,” wrote Ed Gonzalez in a statement on Twitter. “Family had bought fireworks. It is believed gunfire struck the fireworks causing them to ignite. The father drove off briefly, but car engulfed in flames.”
According to KHOU, investigators said the family got into a dispute with another driver when they were driving along in their pickup.
After pulling over at a gas station, the two male drivers got out and exchanged words.
When the other driver revealed a firearm, the father got back in his pickup to leave. That’s when the gunman opened fire.
(1) Another horrific scene. A road rage incident erupted near a Fiesta Store near Veterans Memorial @ W. Mt. Houston. Continued near a gas station near Ella @ W. Mt. Houston. One party fired shots at the other vehicle. pic.twitter.com/VUssgWVVPJ
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 5, 2019
The family was rescued by some good samaritans who took them to a community ER, according to the Sheriff’s office.
(2) the car that was struck was occupied by a Hispanic female of four: a mom, dad, a 1 yr old, and 1-3 yr old. Family had bought fireworks, it is believed gunfire struck the fireworks causing them to ignite. The father drove off briefly, but car engulfed in flames. pic.twitter.com/kF7DehoL16
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 5, 2019
The suspected shooter, who was traveling with a woman and children fled the scene in his vehicle, said Gonzalez.
“Toddlers sustained major burns & had to be life-flighted. Both are in critical condition. Dad was also injured. All info is preliminary at this time,” wrote Gonzalez.
The police have security footage of the incident, taken from the gas station, but have not currently released it.
Video footage of the truck, in flames on the highway, was obtained by and posted to Twitter.
FLAMES FROM FIREWORKS: The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says a family of 4 was badly burned after their truck caught on fire.
Someone shot at them, and the fireworks they had in their vehicle exploded!https://t.co/ybRSkzgSag pic.twitter.com/HoERqeAwzQ
— Katherine Marchand (@KatherineMABC13) July 5, 2019
The Fire Marshall’s office said in a statement that it is investigating the fire, and said that all four occupants of the vehicle had been burned, confirming that the burns had occurred when fireworks inside the car went off due to the gunshots.
2, possible 3, patients being transported via life light. pic.twitter.com/AhpwerjwFi
— Harris Co. FMO (@hcfmo) July 5, 2019
The Fire Marshall’s office is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that could help solve the crime.
The Associated Press and Epoch Times reporter Simon Veazey contributed to this article.
