Published: TUESDAY July 16, 2025: 'Cycle Of Violence' by ZUMA Press represented Chicago Tribune photojournalist's: Brian Cassella, John J. Kim, Terrence Antonio James, Antonio Perez, Armando L. Sanchez, Chris Sweda and Peter Tsai. The city of Chicago saw a historic drop in homicides in the first half of the year, a trend that has largely been mirrored nationwide. However a new report shows a decreasing percentage of Chicagoans survive gunfire. Researchers and experts say access to more lethal weapons and devices that make guns more dangerous are to blame. Chicago experiences devastating levels of violence, from 2016 through 2020, 3,276 people were killed with another 13,546 non-fatal shooting victims. Deadly shootings have made up a steadily larger share of the city's gun violence statistics, according to data from the Chicago Violence Reduction Dashboard and studies from the University of Chicago Crime Lab. As summer brings warmer weather the city of Chicago normally sees an uptick in violence. The number of people slain so far in 2025: 219. That's 97 fewer people killed when compared with 2024. Welcome to 'Cycle Of Violence'
© zReportage.com Issue #996 Story of the Week: Published: TUESDAY July 16, 2025: 'Cycle Of Violence' by ZUMA Press represented Chicago Tribune photojournalist's: Brian Cassella, John J. Kim, Terrence Antonio James, Antonio Perez, Armando L. Sanchez, Chris Sweda and Peter Tsai. The city of Chicago saw a historic drop in homicides in the first half of the year, a trend that has largely been mirrored nationwide. However a new report shows a decreasing percentage of Chicagoans survive gunfire. Researchers and experts say access to more lethal weapons and devices that make guns more dangerous are to blame. Chicago experiences devastating levels of violence, from 2016 through 2020, 3,276 people were killed with another 13,546 non-fatal shooting victims. Deadly shootings have made up a steadily larger share of the city's gun violence statistics, according to data from the Chicago Violence Reduction Dashboard and studies from the University of Chicago Crime Lab. As summer brings warmer weather the city of Chicago normally sees an uptick in violence. The number of people slain so far in 2025: 219. That's 97 fewer people killed when compared with 2024. Welcome to 'Cycle Of Violence'
ROSIE HENRY, right, and her daughter SHERICA HENRY embrace after family, friends, and co-workers of Rafael Wordlaw released balloons in memory of the 31-year-old in Chicago's Fuller Park. Wordlaw, an off-duty Cook County Sheriff's deputy, died in a shooting and crash at Woodlawn after someone tried to rob him. Rosie is the aunt of Wordlaw and Sherica is the cousin of Wordlaw.
© Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Forest Park Deputy Police Chief CHRISTOPHER CHIN, center, speaks during a press conference at the Forest Park Village Hall regarding charges in a quadruple homicide on the CTA Blue Line a day earlier. Cook County States Attorney KIM FOXX is at left and CTA President DORVAL CARTER, Jr., is at right.
© Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Passengers board and disembark at the Chicago Transit Authority CTA Blue Line station in Forest Park after Monday's quadruple homicide on a subway train. Chicago experiences devastating levels of violence, from 2016 through 2020, 3,276 people were killed with another 13,546 non-fatal shooting victims.
© Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
JOSE MOLINA sits with family and friends on the sidewalk where his daughter, Ariana Molina, 9, was shot and killed Saturday evening during a family celebration in front of their home in the 2000 block of West 52nd Street in Chicago. Jose was also shot in the heel in the mass shooting.
© Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
A Springfield Armory AR-15-style rifle on the wall at Voodoo Firearms in Minooka, Illinois. Voodoo Firearms is one of the plaintiffs included in the first lawsuit seeking a stop to the enforcement of the assault weapons ban.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
ELIZABETH FRENCH, mother of slain Chicago Police officer Ella French, hugs her daughter's partner CARLOS YANEZ, during a special service for first responders at St. Christina Catholic Church Sunday in Chicago. During the service Rev. Ryan Brady announced St. Christina School children raised 200 which was matched by parents to donate to Elizabeth French's non-profit Light the Line, which provides a first of its kind law enforcement mobile well-being unit for first responders. Elizabeth's daughter, Chicago Police officer Ella French, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in 2021.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Chicago police work the scene where an officer was shot near the 8200 block of South Ingleside Avenue in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood. Chicago experiences devastating levels of violence, from 2016 through 2020, 3,276 people were killed with another 13,546 non-fatal shooting victims.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
A police officer carries a hat with a photo of slain Chicago police Officer Enrique Martinez before his funeral mass at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago.
© Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Members of the Chicago Fire and Police departments salute in the rain outside the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office in Chicago as an ambulance arrives carrying the body of Officer Enrique Martinez, 26, fatally shot Monday night near the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Members of the Chicago Fire Department hang a flag outside the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office shortly after midnight, after Chicago police Officer Enrique Martinez, 26, was fatally shot Monday near the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Officers salute as the hearse arrives at the funeral for slain Chicago police Officer Enrique Martinez, at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, in Chicago.
© Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Chicago police officers work at the scene where a man was fatally shot in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. An increase in the number of people shot by CPD officers came at the same time that Chicago recorded a drop in the number of violent crimes, according to CPD data. Homicides dropped 28% during first five months of 2025, and the number of shootings dropped 35%, as compared with the first five months of 2024.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Chicago police investigate after two Innovations High School students were fatally shot on Wabash Avenue between Madison and Washington streets in Chicago.
© Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Members of the Chicago Police Department salute as the body of Officer Krystal Rivera is brought to the Cook County medical examiner's office after she was fatally shot late Thursday in the city's Chatham neighborhood.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Police officers wear T-shirts with a picture of Officer Krystal Rivera during a prayer vigil in her memory at the 6th District station in Chicago. Rivera was fatally shot June 5 by another officer inadvertently as they responded to an investigation.
© John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
A mourner wipes away tears during a prayer vigil for police Officer Krystal Rivera at the 6th District station, in Chicago. On June 5th officers attempted to stop a man they suspected of having a weapon in Chicago's Gresham neighborhood. The subject fled and officers pursued into an apartment building, where another armed subject confronted them. During the chaotic encounter, an officer discharged their weapon, fatally striking Officer Rivera.
© John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
People walk near an ambulance while officers work the scene where four people were killed and 14 others were wounded in a shooting near the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue in the River North neighborhood.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
A Chicago police officer investigates a mass shooting where four people were killed and 14 were wounded late Wednesday night in the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue in the River North neighborhood.
© Peter Tsai/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
Officers work at the scene where four people were killed and 14 others were wounded after what was later called a drive-by shooting near the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue in the River North neighborhood.
© Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire
