Memorial Day warzone: At least 41 people shot and nine killed in Chicago during holiday weekend 

At least 41 people have been shot and nine killed as shootings ravaged Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend.

Historically, Memorial Day weekend has been marked by an increase in violent incidents in Chicago, making it one of the most challenging periods for public safety in the city. A total of 52 people were shot and nine killed on the holiday weekend last year.

In the hope of de-escalating the violence, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced last week that 'peacekeepers' would be deployed across the city to and address any conflict.

But many people were still caught up in the violence as dozens came under attack from gunfire right across the city.

The weekend had also been seen as a crucial test for newly inaugurated Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who assumed office earlier this month with a commitment to addressing public safety through 'intelligent and holistic approaches' rather than relying solely on toughness.

One person pulled out a gun and fired it during the fracas which happened at 1.30pm on Friday, as North Avenue Beach opened ahead of Memorial Day weekend

At least 41 people have been shot and nine killed as shootings ravaged Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend. A car window is seen smashed following an incident at North Avenue Beach on Friday

In the early hours of Sunday morning, a 20-year-old man was shot and killed in Washington Heights. Police said the man was approached by two others, with at least one of the two men opening fire. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, Chicago police said as they continue their investigations.

Just minutes later three men were gunned down as they walked down a sidewalk on Chicago's North Side, police said. One man was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition with gunshots to his back and chest. The two other men were considered in better condition but were still taken to hospital. Police said it is unclear what led to the shooting incident. 

In the neighborhood of West Garfield Park, two people were shot as they sat in a parked car just after 2am, police said. The man was shot in the head and later pronounced dead. The woman was in critical condition at the city's Mount Sinai Hospital. Police said no arrests have yet been made as they continue their investigations.

In another incident, a 26-year-old was shot and killed in his car after leaving a gas station on Saturday night. Police said a suspect in a white SUV fired shots. The victim was later pronounced dead at hospital. Again, police said no one was yet in custody as they investigate the incident.

A 14-year-old girl was a victim of another shooting on the Saturday as she stood in a crowd in Englewood. Just before 10pm, shots rang out, striking the girl and leaving her with a graze wound. She was treated at the scene. Police said no one was in custody.

Saturday also saw a woman killed and three men wounded in the neighborhood of Auburn Gresham. Police said a vehicle approached the four and opened fire. The woman, 69, was found in a car nearby. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and later pronounced dead. The three other man, aged 55, 34, and 26, were all taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. No one was in custody following the shooting.

In Humboldt Park on Saturday morning, a man was shot and killed after being struck by multiple gunshots. Police were investigating the incident as he later died in hospital. 

Yet another man was shot and killed on Saturday. At around 3.20am, a man identified as Johnathan Salgado, 22, was gunned down in the Little Village neighborhood. He died in hospital with gunshots to his chest. Police said no arrests had been made. 

Two people were shot in the early hours of Saturday morning in the  Heart of Chicago neighborhood. A man, 36, and woman, 37, were standing on a sidewalk at around 3am when shots fired. The man died as the woman was taken to hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to her face.

Police gather just before Memorial Day weekend after Friday saw crowds at North Avenue Beach scramble for cover when gun fire went off

A 35-year-old was shot less than an hour earlier in the neighborhood of Lakeview. He was later pronounced dead at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital. Police were investigating the incident with no one in custody.

Another man, 33, also died in Auburn Gresham at around 12.50am on Saturday. He was found by police with a gunshot wound to his armpit. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Other incidents saw a police officer accidentally discharge his gun. He injured himself and another man.   

A 16-year-old girl was also shot in East Garfield Park on Saturday, but was in fair condition in hospital, as well as another teen who was shot at his home in Jeffrey Manor. He was taken to hospital in good condition.

Friday also saw horrific attacks as crowds at North Avenue Beach scrambled for cover when gunfire went off following a fight which broke out between a group of 80 to 100 teenagers.

One person pulled out a gun and fired it during the fracas which happened at 1.30pm and hundreds of beachgoers were seen running away and screaming. No one was struck by the bullets and no injuries were reported.

The historic rises in violence across Chicago mirrored the chaos of last year where 52 people were shot and nine killed over the holiday,

This also topped incidents from last weekend where 23 people were shot, including one who was killed, police said.