Bystander wounded and vehicle damaged in Near North Side shooting near Gold Coast

A 25-year-old woman was wounded and a car crashed during a shooting on East Chicago Avenue on Monday night. Police are searching for suspects in a white sedan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 9:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Chicago Sun-Times

Evening Violence Disrupts Near North Side Corridor

A typical Monday evening on Chicago,s Near North Side was shattered by a targeted shooting that left a bystander wounded and a vehicle wrecked. According to Chicago police, the incident unfolded around 9:30 p.m. in the first block of East Chicago Avenue, a high traffic area near the Gold Coast neighborhood. Witnesses reported seeing a white sedan approach a red vehicle before an occupant in the white car discharged multiple rounds, striking both the intended target and an innocent pedestrian.

Pedestrian Hospitalized Following Thigh Wound

The victim, identified as a 25-year-old woman, was simply walking in the vicinity when she was caught in the crossfire. One of the rounds struck her in the thigh, necessitating an immediate emergency response. She was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where medical staff listed her in fair condition as of Tuesday morning. The shooting serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed to bystanders during urban gun violence, even in well lit and traditionally busy commercial districts.

Targeted Vehicle Crashes Amid Gunfire Exchange

The red vehicle that was the primary focus of the attack sustained multiple hits from the gunfire, leading to an immediate loss of control by the driver. Following the shots, the car crashed on the Near North Side, adding a layer of physical destruction to the violent encounter. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the occupants of the red vehicle sustained injuries from the gunfire or the subsequent collision, as the investigation remains in its preliminary stages.