CHICAGO — At least 30 people were shot in the Windy City during the first three days of the Democratic National Convention, including six murders. Chicago police have stepped up security during the Democratic National Convention this week, but despite the clearing of unsightly homeless encampments and the good behavior of illegal immigrants in the city, violent crime remains a reality.
Early Wednesday, a 25-year-old delegate from Texas was robbed at gunpoint, authorities said. The same suspect allegedly robbed two other people nearby.
According to CPD, ten people were shot, one fatally, on Wednesday, the third day of the DNC. There were also reports of a stabbing.
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On Tuesday, there were 12 shooting victims, including one murder.
As the DNC began on Monday, police responded to eight shootings and four murders, authorities said.
“That’s twice as many murders as New York City on a week-to-day basis, and Chicago has less than a third of New York City’s population,” said Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD inspector, citing city police statistics that showed there were three total murders this week, not just shootings.
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In an alley just 2.8 miles from the venue of the 2024 Democratic National Convention at the United Center, several migrants looked for odd jobs and sold candy to earn money Thursday afternoon.
A local law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that several of the people in the alley were “almost certainly” gang members, but authorities did not expect any major problems.
“I’m sure they know they have to behave well with the DNC,” the source said.
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“I’m sure they know they have to behave well towards the DNC.”
One migrant told Fox News Digital he arrived in Chicago about five months ago after making a journey north from Venezuela that he described as “very dangerous.” He looked for work and took odd jobs.
Another man, wearing an ankle bracelet that he said was put on him by immigration officials, told Fox News Digital he was originally from Cuba but entered the U.S. overland from Peru. He said the ankle bracelet prevented him from finding work.
The alley is across the street from a migrant shelter, and neighbors have complained about the presence of suspected gang members and trash in their upscale business district.
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Several men approached Fox News Digital and told reporters to stop taking photos and leave.
“From what I’ve seen in New York, they’ve made women and children sell candy,” Mauro said. “We know that this is a common way migrants earn money, especially on urban transit. Every New Yorker has seen this on the subway.”
In Chicago, they also target drivers, according to Gene Roy, a former CPD chief.
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“It’s become a big thing now, migrants selling candy at major intersections,” he told Fox News Digital. “Most of the ones I’ve seen are women carrying small children in a backpack.”
Although Bulls paraphernalia and tattoos are common in Chicago, federal authorities warned that they have also been adopted by Venezuelan gang members who are not fans of the team.
In the months leading up to the arrival of delegates to celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination as the party’s presidential candidate in 2024, city officials had cleared several tent camps in the Chicago area.
But even though the party elite is based in the town, crime remains a problem.
On the weekend before the party congress, 26 shootings left 30 people injured and five dead.
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Nevertheless, the Chicago Tribune reported earlier this year that while there were more arrests of migrants in the Windy City, most of them were related to non-violent crimes such as theft.
“Our police officers are out there. They’re out there. They’re highly visible. And we have officers not only along the downtown corridors, in and around the Democratic National Convention venues, but also in our neighborhoods to continue to protect our people who live in the most vulnerable areas,” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said during a news conference Monday. “Our officers are protecting the entire city.”
Fox News’ Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.
