Eight people are dead and 30 more wounded after Memorial Day Weekend carnage in Chicago. As ABC affiliate WLS reports, Chicago police say the shootings killed one more person than the seven who died over last year’s Memorial Day Weekend.
Those killed represent a cross-section of the city, from a 20-year-old mother who died at her front door to a 31-year-old man who died after receiving gunshot wounds to the chest and head following an altercation.
Murder by shooting is so rampant and predictable in Chicago that the city actually hired 1,300 more police officers just to deal with the violence.
President Donald Trump had just tweeted about how Chicago killings continue unabated.
“The killings are at a record pace and tough police work, which Chicago will not allow, would bring things back to order fast…the killings must stop!”
Chicago Police have every right to legally protest against the mayor and an administration that just won’t let them do their job. The killings are at a record pace and tough police work, which Chicago will not allow, would bring things back to order fast…the killings must stop!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2018
The city’s police force is engaged in a public relations war with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who they say is too focused on his reelection campaign to address police concerns. As Fox News reported, A “Blue Wednesday” day of protest highlighted the growing animosity between police and the mayor.
Police union Vice President Patrick Murray told the Chicago Tribune that Emanuel has sold out to the anti-police forces.
“You are more concerned with consent decrees, settlements, pandering to police-hating groups than negotiating a contract with us. Our members are starting to believe you have no intention of negotiating a contract with us until after the next election.”