Four Men Shot in Apparent Drive-By Outside Citgo Gas Station in Chicago’s West Side; Two Victims Remain in Critical Condition as Police Investigate Dark SUV Suspect Vehicle
Four Men Shot in Apparent Drive-By Outside Citgo Gas Station in Chicago’s West Side; Two Victims Remain in Critical Condition as Police Investigate Dark SUV Suspect Vehicle
CHICAGO, IL – May 17, 2025 — A typically quiet Friday evening in Chicago’s West Side was shattered by a sudden eruption of gunfire that left four men wounded, including two in critical condition. The incident occurred just after 9:06 p.m. on May 16, in the 600 block of South Homan Avenue, near the Citgo gas station at the intersection of Harrison Street and Homan Avenue. The shooting took place in the heart of the city’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, within the 11th Police District.
What began as a routine evening soon turned into a scene of chaos and emergency. According to preliminary reports from the Chicago Police Department (CPD), a dark-colored SUV approached a group of individuals near the gas station. Witnesses described hearing a sudden burst of rapid gunfire before seeing the vehicle flee southbound on Homan Avenue. Within moments, multiple gunshot victims were seen lying on the pavement near the gas station entrance and the sidewalk adjacent to a nearby lot.
Victims and Condition
Emergency responders, including officers from CPD and Chicago Fire Department paramedics, arrived on the scene within minutes of the initial 911 call. According to police, four adult male victims were located and treated on-site before being transported to nearby hospitals. Two of the men were rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. A third man was taken to Stroger Hospital, also reported to be in critical condition, while the fourth victim was listed in good condition and taken to an unspecified local medical center.
As of this writing, the identities and ages of the victims have not been released. Police are withholding names pending family notification and further investigation. Hospital officials have not provided updates on the men’s conditions, though CPD has confirmed that trauma units were activated at both receiving hospitals.
Witness Accounts and Surveillance Footage
Several individuals in the area at the time of the shooting described a moment of panic and confusion. A witness, who requested to remain anonymous, recounted hearing “at least a dozen shots in rapid succession” before seeing people scatter for cover. “It happened so fast,” the witness told a local news outlet. “One moment they were standing by the gas station, and the next there was screaming, people on the ground. It was horrifying.”
Security footage from the Citgo gas station and neighboring businesses is currently being reviewed by detectives. Early surveillance video appears to show a dark SUV with tinted windows driving slowly past the gas station before someone inside opened fire. The footage may prove crucial in identifying the shooter or shooters involved.
Police have not confirmed whether the incident was targeted or random, though early speculation points to a possible gang-related motive. The area, while recently improving in terms of community development, has struggled historically with gang activity and gun violence.
Community Response
The shooting has once again placed a spotlight on the pervasive issue of gun violence in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. East Garfield Park, in particular, has seen a recent uptick in violent crime, despite broader citywide efforts to curb shootings through increased patrols and community outreach initiatives.
Pastor Leroy James of the West Side Peace Coalition, a local anti-violence group, expressed frustration at the continued bloodshed. “We are tired of watching our young men and women fall victim to bullets in our streets,” he said during a brief vigil held near the crime scene Saturday morning. “We cannot normalize this. We cannot treat these lives as statistics. These are brothers, sons, fathers, friends.”
A growing number of community leaders are calling for additional investment in local programs aimed at youth engagement, mental health support, job training, and violence intervention. “Police presence alone isn’t the answer,” said Alderman Veronica Mitchell, whose ward includes the affected area. “We need to get ahead of the violence — and that starts with education, employment, and access to resources.”
Law Enforcement Investigation
The Chicago Police Department’s Area Four detectives are leading the investigation. Officials say they are currently canvassing the neighborhood for additional witnesses and collecting evidence, including shell casings recovered from the scene.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the vehicle and shooter. A CPD spokesperson confirmed that ShotSpotter technology captured the sound of gunfire, which helped alert law enforcement quickly.
CPD is encouraging anyone who was in the area around 9:00 p.m. on Friday or who may have seen a dark SUV fleeing the scene to contact their tip line. Information can also be submitted anonymously through CPD’s tip website or by calling (312) 746-6000.
A Broader Pattern of Violence
The shooting near Homan and Harrison marks one of several mass shooting incidents in Chicago in the month of May alone, a grim trend that continues to worry residents and officials alike. According to the Chicago Tribune’s crime tracker, there have been more than 180 shootings reported in the city since the start of the month — a number that includes both fatal and non-fatal incidents.
Despite Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pledge to prioritize public safety through holistic, community-centered strategies, critics argue that progress has been slow and uneven. While some neighborhoods have seen modest improvements, others continue to grapple with persistent and often escalating violence.
Local organizations such as Cure Violence and Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) have been working to mediate conflicts and provide alternatives to street violence. These groups often dispatch “violence interrupters” — trained individuals with credibility in the community — to intervene in disputes before they turn deadly. Representatives from CP4P have indicated they are actively working with local residents near the Homan and Harrison area in the aftermath of Friday night’s attack.
What Comes Next
As the victims recover — and as families and residents try to process yet another traumatic act of violence — the larger questions remain: When will the cycle end? What more can be done?
Until the perpetrator is caught, police say they will maintain a heightened presence in the area to ensure safety and prevent retaliatory violence, which can sometimes follow incidents like these.
For now, the intersection of Harrison Street and Homan Avenue is marked by police tape, candles, and the quiet mourning of a neighborhood once again left shaken.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Chicago Police Department or submit tips anonymously at:
cpdtip.com
