Chicago Police Investigating Shooting of 17-Year-Old Near CVS High School Amid Growing Safety Concerns in South Side Neighborhood
CHICAGO, IL — April 15, 2025 — A 17-year-old male was shot near Chicago Vocational Career Academy (CVS High School) on Monday afternoon, triggering a swift and large-scale police response as the city grapples with continuing concerns over youth violence and safety around schools.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), multiple 911 calls were placed just after 3:00 p.m. reporting gunfire near 87th Street and Jeffery Boulevard, adjacent to Owens Park and close to the campus of CVS High School, located at 2100 E. 87th Street. Witnesses described chaos as students were leaving school when the shots rang out, causing many to run for cover.
When officers arrived at the scene, they located the 17-year-old victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. Emergency responders from the Chicago Fire Department quickly rendered aid and transported the teen to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Officials say his injuries, while serious, are non-life-threatening.
Unfolding Investigation
Detectives with CPD’s Area Two are actively investigating the shooting. No arrests have been made, and the identity of the shooter remains unknown. Officers canvassed the surrounding neighborhood, reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and interviewing witnesses in hopes of identifying suspects or motives.
Investigators have not yet determined whether the victim was specifically targeted or if the shooting was random. The student has not been named publicly due to his age and for safety reasons, and police are working to determine whether he was enrolled at CVS High School.
Authorities have confirmed that no other injuries were reported, and the school was briefly placed on a soft lockdown following the incident. That order was lifted once law enforcement determined there was no immediate threat to students or staff on campus.
Community and School Response
In the aftermath of the shooting, concerned parents rushed to the area, anxiously seeking updates on the safety of their children. Several voiced frustration and fear over what they describe as a pattern of violence near schools that continues to endanger students.
“I send my kid to school to learn, not to duck bullets,” said one parent who asked not to be named. “We need more police presence, more programs, more accountability. This is not okay.”
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released a brief statement, assuring families that the district is working with police and school leadership to maintain a safe environment at CVS. Crisis counselors were made available on campus Tuesday morning to support students and staff affected by the traumatic event.
A Larger Pattern of Violence?
The shooting near CVS High School is the latest in a series of youth-related gun violence incidents plaguing Chicago’s South Side. Advocacy groups and community leaders say the city is reaching a breaking point, calling for renewed investment in violence prevention, after-school programming, and neighborhood outreach.
“This is about more than one shooting,” said community organizer Tamika Fields. “We need to start treating the root causes — poverty, disinvestment, trauma — not just the aftermath. These kids deserve more than yellow tape and trauma units.”
Local alderpersons are also expected to address the incident at upcoming city council meetings, with some pushing for expanded school safety measures and increased patrols in known hot spots during school dismissal hours.
Police Ask for Public’s Help
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Chicago Police Department’s Area Two detectives or submit anonymous tips via CPD’s tip line or through Crime Stoppers. Police are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have been in the area of Owens Park or 87th and Jeffery at the time of the shooting.
Victim: 17-year-old male (identity not released)
Condition: Stable, non-life-threatening injuries
Location: Near 2100 E. 87th St., by CVS High School
Time of incident: Monday, April 14, around 3:00 p.m.
Status: No suspects in custody; active investigation ongoing
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available from law enforcement and school officials.
