Police officers were reportedly attacked as they attended the scene.
12:08, Sat, Nov 22, 2025 Updated: 12:49, Sat, Nov 22, 2025
Chicago police swarm downtown after shooting following tree lighting event (Image: FOX 32)
Chaos erupted at a Christmas tree lightning event, which allegedly saw 300 young people rioting and multiple teenagers being shot. The riot in Chicago erupted just moments after the city’s official Christmas tree light turn-on in Millennium Park, with seven teenagers, including one 13-year-old, being shot in the carnage.
Local Police say all the teenagers were aged between 13 and 17, with the shooting outside the Chicago Theatre happening just before 10pm. A local representative, Alderman Hopkins claims one of the teens is in a critical condition after being shot in the chest. He also claimed several officers had been injured after being maced by the rioting teens.
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Police and forensics remain at the scene (Image: FOX 32)
He wrote on X:" 300 juveniles rioting in the Loop now, at least 5 victims shot, one critical with life-threatening gunshot wound to torso. Multiple police officers attacked and injured with mace and stun guns, at least one PO hospitalised."
Nearby to the riot, another shooting happened around 30 minutes later, which, according to WGN News reporter Courtney Spinelli, saw one person die and another wounded.
Reports claim that local officers saw a large group of teenagers gather around the theatre before gunshots broke out.
Two teenage girls are thought to be among the youngest victims, with one 13-year-old being treated for a shot to the leg, while another 14-year-old was shot in the hip.
Linda Dixon was leaving the theatre when she saw police flooding into the area. Speaking to CBS News, she added: "We're coming out of the theatre, and everybody just start running. We almost got knocked in the street, because everyone was running that way from down here. I'm not exactly sure what happened.
"It is very disheartening to see this, you know? Holiday time, everybody wants to celebrate and enjoy the evening, and something like this happens."
The riots and shooting came on a busy evening in the Windy City as both the Christmas light switch on and the first night of the Christmas Market happened that same night.
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