Three men were shot during an early-morning fight in Chicago’s River North neighborhood on Saturday, leaving one victim critically injured as police searched for the gunman.
Three men were shot during a fight near the Chinese Consulate in River North this morning.https://t.co/MwBIo73AXR
— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) September 19, 2026
The shooting happened at about 3:40 a.m. on September 19 in the 100 block of West Erie Street, near Clark Street and close to the Chinese Consulate. Police said the gunfire followed an outdoor altercation involving the victims and one or more unidentified people.
Authorities have not indicated that the Chinese Consulate was targeted or connected to the violence. Its proximity is a location reference only.
Three men taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital
A 24-year-old man suffered the most serious injuries after being shot in the left cheek and left leg. Police listed him in critical condition.
A 25-year-old man was shot in the left calf, right calf and left hand and was reported in good condition. A 22-year-old man was shot in both legs and was also listed in good condition.
All three victims were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment.
911 caller reportedly described fight involving eight people
CWBChicago reported, citing police-radio traffic, that a 911 caller was reporting a fight involving about eight people at Clark and Erie when the shooting occurred at roughly 3:42 a.m.
Officers arrived quickly, but the gunman had already fled the area.
Police have not publicly explained what started the confrontation or whether the victims knew the person who opened fire.
About 13 shell casings reportedly found
An officer reported finding approximately 13 shell casings at the scene, according to the same police-radio reporting.
Investigators can use shell casings and other ballistic evidence to determine how many shots were fired and whether more than one firearm may have been involved. The reported casing count remains preliminary because it was not included in the initial public police statement.
Other local coverage showed officers examining evidence in the roadway near Clark and Erie after the shooting.
Surveillance video reportedly shows gunman fleeing west
CWBChicago also reported that an officer who reviewed surveillance footage said the gunman appeared to run west on Erie Street from Clark after the shooting.
A preliminary suspect description was reportedly shared over police radio, but Chicago police had not publicly issued a formal suspect bulletin in the initial reports. For that reason, the description should not be treated as final.
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No arrest announced
The shooter or shooters remained unidentified in the initial police information. Area Three detectives are handling the investigation.
Police had not announced an arrest, released a motive or confirmed whether a weapon was recovered.
Residents looking for official public-safety updates can follow the Chicago Police Department.
The case comes amid other recent shootings across the city, including a recent weekend of Chicago gun violence that left multiple people killed and wounded.
River North location draws added attention
River North is one of Chicago’s busiest nightlife and entertainment districts, with bars, restaurants, hotels and residential buildings concentrated around the downtown area.
The shooting’s location near the Chinese Consulate may draw wider attention, but police have released no evidence that the diplomatic facility was involved or targeted.
CWBChicago reported that 13 people have been shot on the Near North Side so far this year, compared with 39 at the same point in 2025. Last year’s total was heavily influenced by a single mass shooting that wounded 18 people.
The River North investigation remains active. Key unanswered questions include what triggered the fight, whether investigators have identified the gunman through surveillance footage, whether more than one shooter was involved and whether the critically injured 24-year-old victim’s condition changes.
Another recent Chicago shooting that drew attention involved 22-year-old rapper BloodHound Q50, who was killed in a separate South Side incident.
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