On June 21, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social in response to a weekend shooting in Chicago that left 22 people injured and at least five dead. He criticized Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for not requesting federal assistance to address the violence, and said he could make Chicago a “safe city” within one month.
According to the New York Post (NYP), a drive-by shooting occurred just after 11 p.m. on Sunday in the Princeton Park neighborhood of Chicago. Two gunmen were observed driving a red SUV before opening fire on a gathering and then escaping.
Trump wrote “Lots of Killing going on in Chicago. 22 people shot, at least 4 Dead. Why isn’t Governor Pritzker calling me for help. I could make Chicago a safe City in ONE MONTH, in ONE YEAR, it would be one of the safest!!! D.C. went from one of the worst, to one of the safest cities in the U.S. President DJT.”
Among the victims were a 32-year-old woman who was shot in the back twice, and a 44-year-old man who was grazed by four bullets. Both sought medical treatment and survived.
The NYP reported that other victims included a 17-year-old and a 22-year-old, both shot in the thigh and a 32-year-old man who suffered a gunshot to the head. One 26-year-old man who was struck remains in critical condition in hospital. At least 10 other people were injured.
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Chicago crime statistics
According to the Chicago Tribune, as of June 22 there have been 197 people slain in the city this year, an increase of 18 compared to the same period last year. The vast majority of these deaths were due to gunshots.
Chicago’s WTTW reports that by the end of May this year, Chicago had recorded 546 shootings and 664 shooting victims. While incidents in May 2026 were lower than in May 2025, the overall totals still reflect an increase compared to the previous year.
In 2025, Chicago experienced it’s lowest homicide rate in nearly 60 years, according to Chicago Police Department official data.
Chicago’s murder count fell significantly year over year, dropping from 587 in 2024 to 416 in 2025, a decline of nearly 30 percent. It also marked the first time in a decade that the city recorded fewer than 500 homicides in a single year.
By the end of 2025, Chicago recorded a 35 percent decline in shootings compared to 2024. During the same period, robberies fell by 36 percent, while aggravated battery incidents decreased by 11 percent.
The declines, however, fail to mask the ongoing problem. June to date, there have been 29 people shot and killed in the city, 120 shot and wounded, and a total of 31 homicides.
Compared to peer cities like Detroit and Boston, Chicago still reports substantially higher absolute levels of gun violence, even when year-over-year declines are factored in.
