16 Injured in Stampede Sparked by Stabbings at Chicago Firework Celebration

Stock photo of police tape. Carl Ballou/Shutterstock

Three people were stabbed at a July Fourth celebration and over a dozen injured in the stampede that followed as the 60,000-strong crowd panicked following a fireworks show on Chicago’s navy pier.

According to local reports, police said they believed someone shouted “gun!” in the crowd of people at around 10 p.m.

Over 60,000 people were estimated to have streamed out of the area around the pier, where they had gathered to watch the firework display, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Shortly before, an argument had broken out on the pier, and three people were stabbed after gang signs were flashed, reported the Times.

“Just chaos. Chaos. That’s all it was,” one 45-woman told the Sun-Times. She had been at the pier with her family when she heard what she thought was a gunshot.

“We got separated from each other because everyone went in different directions when it started. But thank god, he got us all back together. That’s all that matters.”

A 15-year-old boy was stabbed in the armpit, and a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in the arm and rib and taken to the same hospital, reported the Times. Both of their conditions were stabilized.

Police said that one report of a person suffering a gunshot wound turned out to be a man who punctured his leg when he ran into an overturned table.

No shots were fired according to police.

“We believe someone yelled ‘gun,’” Chicago Police Spokesman Rocco Alito said, according to NBC. “[The victims involved suffered] non-life-threatening injuries.”

At least 16 people were injured in a stampede, according to Chicago police, reported NBC.

An eyewitness told the news station that people had “no clue what was going on” and were simply running away.

“I was walking toward the exit and all of the sudden people were running toward me,” he said. “My first instinct was to run away as well. It was just a panic, and everyone went along with it.”

Toddlers Burned by Fireworks Ignited by Road Rage Shooting

Meanwhile, in Texas, two toddlers were left in critical condition after they were burned by fireworks in their car, believed to be set off by gunfire during a road rage shooting.

The incident in Harris County, Texas occurred on the night of July 4.

“The car that was struck was occupied by a Hispanic female of four: a mom, dad, a 1 yr old, and 1-3 yr old,”  wrote Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in a statement on Twitter. “Family had bought fireworks, it is believed gunfire struck the fireworks causing them to ignite. The father drove off briefly, but car engulfed in flames.”

According to KHOU, investigators said the family got into a dispute with another driver when they were driving along in their pickup. After pulling over at a gas station, the two male drivers got out and exchanged words.

When the other driver revealed a firearm, the father got back in his pickup to leave. That’s when the gunman opened fire.

The family was rescued by some good samaritans who took them to a community ER.

The suspected shooter, who was traveling with a woman and children, fled the scene in his vehicle, said Gonzalez.

“Toddlers sustained major burns & had to be lifeflighted. Both are in critical condition. Dad was also injured. All info is preliminary at this time,” wrote Gonzalez.