At least 13 people were injured, including one person in critical condition, after a drive-by shooting erupted during a Juneteenth celebration in Chicago, turning what was meant to be a night of community gathering into a scene of panic, chaos, and fleeing crowds.

The shooting took place shortly before 11 p.m. on June 19 in the Princeton Park neighborhood on the city’s South Side, near West 95th Street and South Princeton Avenue, according to the Chicago Police Department and multiple local and national outlets, including CBS News, ABC 7 Chicago, and the Associated Press.

Authorities said the incident unfolded when a red SUV pulled up near a large group of people who had gathered for the Juneteenth celebration. Two individuals inside the vehicle then opened fire on the crowd before quickly fleeing the scene, leaving behind shattered glass, shell casings, and injured victims scattered across the area.

Police confirmed that at least 13 people between the ages of 17 and 47 were struck by gunfire in the attack.

Emergency responders arrived within minutes of the first 911 calls and found multiple victims on sidewalks, in nearby yards, and near parked vehicles as people attempted to escape the gunfire. Several victims were rushed to local hospitals, while others were transported in private vehicles before ambulances could reach the scene.

According to ABC 7 Chicago, most of the injured were treated at four separate hospitals across the city and were listed in good condition following treatment. However, one victim remains in critical condition after sustaining serious injuries.

Among those wounded was a 32-year-old woman who was shot in the back, and a 44-year-old man who suffered graze wounds during the chaotic burst of gunfire.

Another victim, a 26-year-old woman, was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital in critical condition, where medical teams worked through the night to stabilize her. A 26-year-old man who was also injured reportedly refused medical treatment at the scene, according to CBS News.

Witnesses described a sudden eruption of rapid gunfire that sent crowds running in all directions as the celebration quickly descended into panic.

Surveillance footage from the area captured the aftermath, showing people scattering as the sound of gunshots echoed through the street. Moments later, residents and attendees could be seen taking cover behind parked cars, fences, and nearby structures as the shooting continued briefly before the suspects fled.

Debris from the scene, including shattered glass from car windows and a damaged bus stop shelter, was later found scattered across the street, marking the path of the gunfire and the chaos that followed.

Investigators have not yet identified the suspects, and no arrests had been made as of the latest updates from police.

The Chicago Police Department has not released any information about a possible motive, and it remains unclear whether the attack was targeted or random. Officials said early in the investigation that multiple possibilities are being explored, including whether the shooting was connected to any ongoing disputes or if it was an indiscriminate act of violence against the gathering.

Community members and witnesses described the emotional shock of witnessing violence erupt during what was intended to be a celebration of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Violence prevention advocate Irion Meadows, who was present in the area at the time of the shooting, described the moment gunfire broke out as sudden and overwhelming.

“It was just a lot of bop bop bop bop,” Meadows told CBS News, describing the sound of the gunfire. He added that the incident stood in stark contrast to the purpose of the gathering. “It does a disservice to the community and what Juneteenth is supposed to stand for.”

Residents nearby also reported hearing the gunfire from inside their homes, underscoring how quickly the violence spread across the neighborhood.

Neighbor Michael Blount told ABC 7 that he initially thought the sounds might have been something else before realizing the severity of the situation unfolding outside.

“All of a sudden … I could hear rapid gunfire, I’m like it can’t be,” Blount said. “Next thing I know I heard the sirens.”

The aftermath left the neighborhood shaken, with police cordoning off the area as investigators combed through evidence late into the night. Officers marked shell casing locations, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed surveillance footage in an effort to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Detectives are also seeking additional video from nearby homes and businesses that may have captured the red SUV or the moments leading up to the shooting.

As of now, authorities have not released a description of the suspects beyond stating that they were inside the vehicle that opened fire. It is also not known how many shots were fired or what type of firearm was used.

The Chicago Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward as they work to identify those responsible.

Officials have not ruled out the possibility that more than two individuals could be involved, and investigators are reviewing multiple leads.

The shooting has added to ongoing concerns about gun violence in Chicago, particularly incidents occurring during large public gatherings where crowds are vulnerable and law enforcement presence can be stretched thin.

Community leaders have called for calm while also demanding answers about how such a violent attack could occur during a peaceful cultural celebration.

For now, families of the injured are focused on recovery as hospitals continue treating victims. Authorities say they are monitoring the condition of the critically injured woman closely, while others are expected to recover from non-life-threatening injuries.

Despite the scale of the shooting, police have emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that many details, including motive and suspect identities, have yet to be confirmed.

As detectives continue gathering evidence, residents of Princeton Park are left grappling with the aftermath of a celebration that ended in gunfire, injuries, and uncertainty—another violent moment in a city still searching for answers to recurring episodes of mass public shootings.