Fr. Pfleger Blasts Parents: 'Know Where The Hell Your Kids Are' After 7 Shot By St. Sabina

CHICAGO — The Rev. Michael Pfleger lambasted parents in a video to know “where the hell their children are” after seven teens were shot early Saturday morning in a post-prom gathering across the street from St. Sabina Church in Auburn-Gresham. The parish is putting up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter or shooters.

Just before 2 a.m., Chicago police were trying to disperse a large gathering in the 1200 block of West 78th Street near St. Sabina. As officers were trying to clear the crowd, a vehicle drove by and someone began firing shots at the crowd. Seven young people ranging in age from 16 to 18 were struck by bullets.

Police said the vehicle immediately fled the scene. No officers were injured. There is no one in custody and Area Two detectives are investigating. All seven victims were male

A 17-year-old and 18-year-old were taken in fair condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, with gunshot wounds to the leg.

Three males were taken to University of Chicago Hospital;, including a 19-yeear-old with gunshot wounds to the leg and arm, a 17-year-old who suffered from a gunshot wound to the arm; and an 18-yeard with gunshot wounds to the leg and buttocks. All are listed in fair condition.

An 18-year-old male is in serious conditions at Little Company of Mary Medical Center with gunshot wounds to the leg and chest. Another 17-year-old listed in fair condition at Holy Cross Hospital with a gunshot wound to his back and leg.

An angry Pfleger said in an impassioned video posted on Facebook that he was taking the shooting personally, and that “I’m angry and disgusted, I’m hurt, and I’m mad,” over the shooting that took place early Saturday morning across the street from the church.

“This is personal, this is our territory, this is our ground. People know what we stand for,” Pfleger said. “This isn’t something you can solve by more programs, more police, by SNAP curfew. None of that stuff can stop this.”

Pfleger said the only thing that could stop gun violence in the city was parents monitoring their children and young people making better decisions.

“What’s going to stop this is parents saying where the hell your kids are. A 16-year-old should not be out here at 2 o’clock in the morning,” he said. “Young people, you got to make wise choices to protect yourself, care about yourself. You’re too valuable to put your life at risk and your future at risk.”

He also implored teens and young adults to stop posting parties they’re attending on social media.

“There are some idiot, evil wicked people out here … that will come by and take advantage shoot for what,” Pfleger said. “Stop carrying all these guns around. When are we gonna wake up from this damn gun culture where everybody … “

Pfleger said the Faith Community of St. Sabina is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter or shooters.

“I want the people in that car caught. I want them in jail,” he said.

Anyone with information about the shooting or the identities of the occupants of the vehicle, is asked to call Chicago police at 312-745-3610 or St. Sabina Church, 773-483-4300. Tips can also be texted to CPD Tips.

See Father Michael Pfleger's statement in its entirity.