Three other men were wounded or grazed outside a liquor store just after midnight.
CHICAGO — Chicago police were searching Wednesday for two suspects after a late-night shooting in Englewood left one man dead and three others injured in the parking lot of a liquor store, authorities said.
The case moved quickly into an urgent early stage, with detectives working to identify the shooters, find surveillance video, and interview survivors. Police said the gunfire erupted just after midnight on the South Side and ended within moments, leaving one victim dead at the scene and three men either taken to a hospital or declining treatment.
Police said four men were standing outside in a parking lot in the 7000 block of South Halsted Street when two other men approached and began shooting. The attackers fled, and officers arriving afterward found one man critically injured. He had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Authorities did not immediately release his identity, and they did not say how old he was.
The three surviving victims were described by police only by age and injuries. A 27-year-old man was shot in the leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition. A 38-year-old man suffered a graze wound to the arm and was taken to the same hospital. A 33-year-old man was grazed in the forearm but refused medical treatment, police said.
Investigators said it was unclear what led up to the shooting, leaving key questions unanswered as the city woke up: whether there was a dispute before the gunfire, whether the victims knew the gunmen, and whether the shooters were targeting one person or firing into the group. Police did not announce a suspect description, and they did not say whether they believed the attackers used one gun or more than one.
Area One detectives were assigned to the case, a unit that covers parts of the South Side and handles major investigations including shootings and homicides. In such cases, detectives typically build a timeline that starts before the gunfire, focusing on who was present, how the suspects arrived, and where they went afterward. Police did not say whether a vehicle was seen leaving the scene or whether the suspects ran from the lot on foot.
Because the shooting happened outside a business, investigators were expected to search for video from store cameras and nearby buildings. Detectives also often look for witnesses who may have been driving past, leaving nearby businesses, or watching from homes close to the street. Police did not say how many witnesses had been interviewed or whether the surviving victims had been able to provide detailed descriptions of the gunmen.
The location, on a commercial stretch of South Halsted Street, is lined with businesses and traffic corridors that can draw people late at night. Residents in the area have repeatedly called for more consistent patrols and quicker progress in solving shootings, arguing that violent episodes can leave families shaken and discourage everyday activity. Police did not comment Wednesday on whether the shooting would lead to increased patrols near the liquor store or surrounding blocks.
For investigators, the immediate next steps typically include reviewing evidence recovered at the scene, checking any emergency calls for additional details, and comparing the incident with any recent reports that might suggest a pattern. Authorities did not say whether shell casings were recovered or whether forensic teams were called, and they did not say whether any nearby properties had been struck by gunfire.
By Wednesday morning, police had not announced any arrests or charges. Authorities said the investigation was continuing, and the next public update is expected once detectives identify suspects or release images or other information connected to the shooting.
Author note: Last updated December 24, 2025.