Chicago violence up 50 percent from 2015

By John Dempsey, WLS-AM 890 News

(CHICAGO) A new Chicago Tribune analysis shows that shootings in Chicago in 2016 are up 50 percent from this point in 2015.
The Tribune says so far this year, at least 1,382 people have been shot in Chicago and at least 244 of them have died from their wounds.  Last year at this time, 904 people had been shot, 157 of them fatally.
This past weekend at least 45 people were shot, at least five of them killed.
Violence traditionally goes up when warm weather arrives, because more people are outside.   The Police Department issued the following statement over the weekend:
“As we look toward the summer months, Superintendent Johnson has made it very clear that the violence will not be tolerated – period. The cause of the violence traces back decades, and everyone has a role to play in fixing it – police working with parents, judges, residents, clergy, community leaders, and others. Put simply, we need more values, fewer guns and stronger sentences against violence offenders.”