Four shot, three killed during bar fight in Portage Park
Update: The victims have been identified and they are included in the edit below.
PORTAGE PARK, CHICAGO - An argument that started in a bar and lounge in the Portage Park neighborhood spilled out onto the street and someone opened fire, killing three and leaving a fourth in critical condition, authorities said.
The shooting happened just before 2:30 a.m. near the intersection of the 5500 block of W. School Street and 3300 block of N. Central Avenue in the Portage Park neighborhood on the city's northwest side.
Police said a verbal argument that started in Vera Lounge on N. Central Avenue turned into a physical fight outside and in the street. At some point during the melee, a currently unknown man fired shots into the group he was ostensibly fighting with, resulting in the loss of life. The man reportedly fled in a dark-colored older model SUV.
The victims and their injuries are as follows (edits in italics):
- Ricky Vera. 50-year-old male. Gunshot wound to the head and the chest. Pronounced dead at the scene.
- Mario Pozuelos of Franklin Park. 26-year-old male taken to Mt. Sinai with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. Pronounced dead a short time later.
- Mercedes Tavares of Chicago Heights. 24-year-old female taken to Mt. Sinai with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. Pronounced dead a short time later.
- 25-year-old female taken to Illinois Masonic with a gunshot wound to the head. Listed in critical condition.
There is no one in custody and Area Five detectives are investigating. Police Commander Joseph Brennan told reporters Sunday morning that they're reviewing surveillance video and talking to witnesses.
Authorities are believed to be looking for a dark-colored (dark blue but possibly black) older model SUV, believed to be Ford Explorer/Expedition, but that has not been confirmed by police.
Read along this thread to see how the shooting unfolded:
School / Central four people shot . #ChicagoScanner
— 16th & 17th District Chicago Police Scanner (@CPD1617Scanner) December 11, 2022
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