North Lawndale, Chicago - Authorities have apprehended a man in connection with a mass shooting that occurred at a Halloween party on the city's West Side, leaving 15 individuals wounded. The incident, described as a "senseless act of violence," took place in the early hours of Sunday in the 1200 block of South Pulaski Road, according to 10th District Commander William Betancourt.

During a news conference, Betancourt stated that the alleged shooter had been initially ejected from the party but returned shortly after and opened fire. He was later arrested by police in the vicinity of the 4000 block of West 14th Street, where law enforcement also confiscated his firearm.

The victims, aged between 26 and 53, were transported to various medical facilities, with two individuals initially reported to be in critical condition at Mt. Sinai Hospital. However, as of Monday, the hospital spokesperson confirmed that both patients had stabilized.

Area detectives are currently conducting an investigation into the incident, and while no charges have been finalized as of Monday morning, a police spokesperson assured that the matter is still under active investigation.

In addition to the shooting, the authorities are examining the hosts of the Halloween party for a "history of throwing unlicensed events," revealed Betancourt. The city plans to conduct its own investigation into the matter.

The shooting transpired at Hampton Brand Inc.'s premises, situated at 1258 S. Pulaski Road. The building, registered as an art gallery with a license for selling art, bears the name Studio 1258 according to a sign on the exterior. Bullet holes were visible on a metal grate covering one of the windows when observed on Monday.

The city's business affairs and consumer protection department disclosed that on May 6, the establishment had received a cease-and-desist order and citations for operating without a public place of amusement license and operating without a liquor license. The department will conduct a further investigation, as warranted, after the conclusion of the police investigation.

On Monday morning, the business was summarily closed by the police, as stated by a police spokesperson.

According to public records, FSH Enterprises purchased the building at 1258 S. Pulaski Road for $22,000 in 2015. However, the property is presently delinquent in tax payments, owing over $27,000 in debt, according to Cook County Treasurer records.

The building has a longstanding history of building code violations. Court documents reveal that the city has repeatedly taken FSH Enterprises to court to bring the property into compliance with code regulations. The property failed inspections most recently in 2021, according to city records.

Located near the Chicago West Side Christian School and the nonprofit Young Men's Educational Network, the incident has deeply affected the community. Mike Trout, the executive director of the nonprofit, expressed his distress, emphasizing that such shootings should not be considered normal in the neighborhood. He extended his gratitude to the Chicago police and city services for their support and conveyed the organization's commitment to standing with the victims of this incident and others.

Residents in the area, like Antoine Jones, echoed Trout's sentiments, lamenting the prevalence of such incidents and the impact they have on their sense of safety.

This unfortunate shooting incident occurred exactly one year after another mass shooting, which injured 14 individuals, including three children, during a drive-by attack in East Garfield Park on Halloween. The Tribune reported that one person succumbed to their injuries several days later.

As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of yet another act of violence, while authorities work to bring those responsible to justice and address the issue of unlicensed event hosting in the city.