A dispute that turned violent outside Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp in the Armour Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, led to a fatal shooting in the early hours of Sunday, August 4, 2024. The Chicago Police Department reported that the incident, which took place around 3 a.m., resulted in one fatality and three injuries.
The altercation started verbally between two groups of men, escalating into a physical fight that culminated in gunfire. A 39-year-old man, identified as Joseph Garcia, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Of the injured, a 27-year-old man is in a critical state after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds and seeking treatment at a nearby hospital. A 34-year-old man, shot in the leg, has been reported in fair condition after being transported to a hospital. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man, shot in the left calf, is in good condition after independently reaching a hospital.
The Chicago Police responded swiftly, securing the vicinity and expanding the crime scene to neighboring properties after finding shell casings strewn across the parking lot. Police described the incident as gang-related.
Witnesses have described the suspect as a Hispanic male in his late teens or early 20s with a shaggy haircut. He reportedly fled the scene in a white SUV, accompanied by a woman.
The investigation is currently being spearheaded by Area One detectives, and no arrests have been made to date. An onlooker, who claimed to be a friend of the deceased and was present at the scene with his teenage children, saw the unfortunate events unfold.
Located at 2120 South Canal Street, Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp has been a community mainstay since 1950, known for its fried seafood. Despite the violent event, the restaurant continued its operations, serving customers as usual.
In a separate incident that occurred around 5 a.m., five men independently sought treatment for gunshot injuries at the University of Chicago Medical Center. This shooting reportedly took place in the 5100 block of South Calumet Avenue, Washington Park.
The victims, aged between 24 and 32, suffered varying degrees of injuries. A 25-year-old man had wounds on his lower extremities, while a 24-year-old was shot in the back. A 32-year-old man sustained a graze wound on his right arm. Two 26-year-old men were also injured, one shot in the chin and the other in the thumb.
The victims were reticent to divulge information about the incident. The investigation into both this and the earlier shooting is being conducted by Area 1 detectives, who are striving to learn the details of the events.
Gun violence is an ongoing issue in Chicago, with these incidents adding to an already concerning trend in the city. The police are continually investigating, aiming to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide closure to the affected family and community.
