2 Dead, 2 Injured, In Shooting Outside Chicago High School: Reports

CHICAGO — A second boy has died in a shooting outside Benito Juarez High School on Chicago's West Side, according to Chicago Police Supt. David Brown. Another boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fire officials said a 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead on arrival, ABC Chicago reported. Another boy was shot, along with a 16-year-old girl suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. when school was being dismissed for the day, in the 1900 block of South Laflin Street where the school is located.

A crossing guard and a parent who has a child who attends the school, told WGN that students were being dismissed for the day when he heard multiple shots being fired.

“I feel sick,” Nicasio Rogel told WGN. “I feel angry because these are things this should not be happening in the school. The kids come to school to get educated and get tools for the future. It’s not good what is happening right here.”

He said the students were told to head back inside the school. ABC reported that one of the teens ran inside the school after being wounded.

Chicago Public Schools released the following statement Friday:

“The safety of our school community is our top priority. This afternoon, we received reports that shots had been fired outside of Benito Juarez High School shortly after dismissal. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) and paramedics responded quickly to the scene. CPS remains in close contact with CPD and this incident is under investigation. The CPS Office of Safety and Security and other District leadership are working closely with school leadership and staff, as well as CPD to gather information and respond to this incident. CPS will keep Benito Juarez families updated as well as the greater community. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy.”

A CPS official said that counseling would be available to students Monday, several of whom witnessed the shooting outside the school.

Brown would not confirm if the people shot were students, saying the investigation was in the preliminary stages.

The victims were said to be wearing backpacks.

Tom Ahern said Chicago Public Schools announced an "all clear" for students at the campus.