Tragedy struck the south suburban community of Harvey, Illinois on Saturday night, when gunfire erupted at a house party on Des Plaines Street, leaving seven people wounded, including a child, and one gunman dead. A second man, identified as 24-year-old Charles Lipsey, was killed hours later in what authorities suspect may have been a retaliatory shooting connected to the earlier violence.
Shooting Unfolds at Des Plaines Street Gathering
The initial shooting occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. in the 14400 block of Des Plaines Street. According to a spokesperson for the City of Harvey, two armed individuals entered a crowded house party and opened fire on guests.
One of the victims was a 4-year-old boy, who sustained injuries that were thankfully not life-threatening. Emergency crews rushed him to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
In total, seven individuals were wounded. Four were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Their names have not yet been made public, but officials stated their injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening. The remaining victims were treated at the scene or released.
Concealed Carry Holder Shoots Gunman
Amid the chaos, a licensed concealed carry holder at the party returned fire, fatally shooting one of the attackers. That individual has not yet been publicly identified by authorities.
The second suspect, who was also struck in the exchange, fled the scene but was located shortly after at a nearby gas station. He was taken into custody by Harvey police and remains hospitalized under guard. Police have not released his name pending charges.
Eyewitnesses Describe Terrifying Scene
Longtime resident Willie Hill, 73, whose home sits just down the street from the scene, said the gunfire sounded like a warzone. “This is something you would hear if you were at war,” Hill told reporters. “It was terrible. Loud. I mean, you could tell it was nothing to play with.”
Michael Parker, who lives across the street, emphasized the unpredictable nature of violence in the area. “Bullets fly,” he said. “They don’t have a name on them.”
Second Shooting Kills Charles Lipsey in Possible Retaliation
Around 4:50 a.m. Sunday, just hours after the house party shooting, police responded to another report of gunfire in the 200 block of Calumet Boulevard. There, they discovered a minivan with a man inside suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim, later identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Charles Lipsey, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary information suggests the two shootings may be related. Authorities are exploring whether Lipsey’s killing was an act of retaliation tied to the earlier party attack.
Investigation Ongoing, Public Urged to Help
Officials emphasized that both incidents appear to be targeted, not random. The Harvey Police Department is actively investigating and encourages the public to come forward with any information that could aid the case.
Witness cooperation has been described as helpful, and several leads are being pursued.
As the city grapples with the trauma of two shootings in under 12 hours, the community is left seeking answers and accountability for the violence that shattered a summer night.
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