6 Gay Black Men Shot at Chicago New Year's Party
Six men are wounded, two critically, after masked gunmen burst into a home on Chicago's South Side and opened fire. The apartment was rented by two black gay men who were hosting a party on Saturday night. Overnight, one party goer text messaged Rod 2.0 and confirmed all victims were black gay men. At least one was from out of town, possibly Atlanta.
The violence happened at the home at 79th and Woodlawn at around 5:30am. Two masked men armed with semiautomatic handguns kicked down the front and back doors and began shooting. "Because the gunmen who kicked in the door and opened fire were masked, we don't have a good description," a police spokesperson says, adding that detectives are canvassing the neighborhood for clues
Neighbors say the apartment frequently hosted loud parties throughout the week and almost every weekend and referred to the building as the "Gay House," adding that police officers were called several times to respond to noise and fights. Sources told Rod 2.0 that some visitors were involved in Chicago's ballroom community.
The victims were aged 19 and 35 and none lived in the home. Two are critically injured with gunshot wounds to the chest. The four others have various wounds and are expected to survive, according to our source. So far, police have not labeled this a hate crime because the gunmen "did not utter slurs or have any verbal exchange with people at the party." No word yet was robbery a motive
One young man told a television reporter that he and his friends resented the flamboyant mannerisms and conversations by some visitors to the apartment. "This is a normal neighborhood," the young man told CLTV News."It was a matter of time before something like this happened."
As another former Chicagoan notes, it's ironic that someone would consider breaking and entering, masked gunmen and random gunfire ... the trademarks of a "normal neighborhood."
Shooting at Party May Be Hate Crime (Sun Times)
Masked Men Shoot 6 at Party (Tribune)
Are they serious?! Six black gay men get shot and they don't want to acknowledge it's a hate crime yet? Give me a break!
Posted by: Kevin | 01 January 2007 at 15:13
This is a horrible story compounded by the fact that the police cannot prove the shooting was gay-related.
As always, you're up on the news, Rod.
Posted by: Samuel I | 01 January 2007 at 15:17
What a way to start the new year. I love the quote from the (presumed) neighbor:
"This is a normal neighborhood. It was a matter of time before something like this happened."
So, masked gunmen shooting guests at a party is normal? I'd boot out my alderman if I lived in that neighborhood.
Posted by: j. brotherlove | 01 January 2007 at 16:54
This is a horible story. Hopefully those men will survive.
Posted by: Greg | 01 January 2007 at 17:13
And this is how we are starting out our new year...under fire! When will people get it? This scares me in so many ways as a black gay man living in America.
Posted by: Man*Diva | 01 January 2007 at 18:18
What a truly horrible way to begin the New Year. I hope all of these men will survive and the police catch those who are responsible.
Posted by: brad lindau | 01 January 2007 at 19:04
No wonder black men are ambivalent about coming out of the closet. Look at this shit!
Posted by: Dluv | 01 January 2007 at 19:46
a very sad way to start the new year... simply amazes me how little some people value other people's lives.
Posted by: C. Baptiste-Williams | 01 January 2007 at 22:41
What a shame this could have happened in any city in the U.S., but it happened in Chicago where there is a sizable community. Instead laying blame we need to support those organizations in Chicago to call for an investigation as a hate crime. We should be able to entertain in our homes and feel secure, and we as a people need to teach our children the lessons of the past to enlighten our path forward not a path of self hatred.
Posted by: hood2big | 02 January 2007 at 11:43
What a shame this could have happened in any city in the U.S., but it happened in Chicago where there is a sizable community. Instead laying blame we need to support those organizations in Chicago to call for an investigation as a hate crime. We should be able to entertain in our homes and feel secure, and we as a people need to teach our children the lessons of the past to enlighten our path forward not a path of self hatred.
Posted by: hood2big | 02 January 2007 at 11:43
"This is a normal neighborhood," the young man told CLTV News."It was a matter of time before something like this happened."
The tragedy and irony of the moment is not lost on that final quote.
Posted by: carl | 02 January 2007 at 11:47
God help us all, we are all His creations. Stop playing God and purify your own life. A gwm in fear in the Heartland.
Posted by: Ron Coleman | 02 January 2007 at 14:31
Yeah, this was a scary weekend. Darryl, my ex-lover and close friend, was one of the guys who was shot at, though he very luckily missed the bullets. Among those injured include members of the House of Blahnik, Herrera, and Mizrahi, which included my house brother who was shot in the chest.
These guys were shot at for no other reason then being gay. The incident really dampens one's look on the new year.
Posted by: Frank León Roberts | 02 January 2007 at 15:42
"We always be seeing them, and they always be looking at people," said Kevin Carter, 18. "They give you that gay look, like you're a female or something. That ain't cute. People be ready to fight . . . I knew something was going to happen to that house."
Instead of worrying about gay people looking at you, learn to speak the English language correctly.
Posted by: DFS | 02 January 2007 at 16:05
get clue they mask themselves kick in the door shoot six gay black men at a known gay party by everyone else in the neighborhood and because they didnt call someone a faggot while shooting doesnt make it a hate crime?? please. so they like them thats why they shot them. duh!!!
Posted by: hakeem | 02 January 2007 at 18:44
"We always be seeing them, and they always be looking at people," said Kevin Carter, 18. "They give you that gay look, like you're a female or something. That ain't cute. People be ready to fight . . . I knew something was going to happen to that house."
Hmmmm. 'Straight' boys are using the term 'cute' now? Howyoudoin' Kevin Carter?
Posted by: English Professor | 02 January 2007 at 22:35
Well, I'm going to take another look at this story. I love how Rod put this story in a very comfortable setting because the story wasn't written to take a particular side. It reveals both sides, especially from a media perspective. I would love to shout and jump with the majority of those that commented...but I know how parties can get in certain homes. And that can get on my nerves. Very distrubing at times. And usually when there's a big thing like this going on...trouble is going to be nearby. I dont know who the ones were that broke an entry into their "home", even though the article mentions that the home was rented out, but it still wasn't right for those gunmen to break an entrance like that. That in itself is a crime. And some of the comments made by the public, in the article, have a tone that creates some curiousity regarding their feelings on homophobia. But still, let's ask ourselves this question. These days - what the heck is normal. It's not normal to hear of people breaking into homes with masks and advanced weaponry...but in these times, nothing amazes me. What used to be abnormal is now normal. If the neighbors mention that the house have parties every weekend - apparently the guys had to know that they were moving into a residential zone that didn't approve of their party-like lifestyles. To them, that is abnormal. So I ask this question again...what is normal? To gay men, it's normal...to people with more reserved lifestyles, it isn't. Sooner or later, we all will soon realize that "normal" doesn't exist.
Posted by: Dante' | 03 January 2007 at 01:38
How is this a hate crime? What evidence can support this is a hate crime?
Posted by: The Captain | 03 January 2007 at 11:51
enough. dammit, enough.
Posted by: malik | 04 January 2007 at 04:31
No one has said it but I bet that was a sex party and that is why it was shot up. That is not to justify what occured
Posted by: Craig | 04 January 2007 at 10:28
BARACK OBAMA IS KILLING OF HIS GAY LOVERS. ITS NO WONDER ALL THESE GAY MEN IN SOUTH CHICAGO ARE COMMING UP DEAD , DONALD YOUNG, LARRY BLAND, AND THESE 6 GAY MEN TOO ALL FROM SOUTH CHICAGO
AT LEAST TWO WENT TO TRINTY CHURCH. THEN YOU HAVE THE LARRY SINCLAIRE WHO HAS FILED CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN FEDERAL COURT AGAINST OBAMA. CLAIMING HE WAS THREATENED AND THE LIMO DRIVER BY OBAMA THUGS FOR HIS HOMOSEXUAL LIASON WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. GAY MEN WILL NEVER VOTE FOR OBAMA! AN IF YOU HAD SEX WITH OBAMA BETTER GO INTO HIDING!!!!!!
Posted by: DAVE | 25 April 2008 at 18:32