44 people shot during Thanksgiving holiday in Chicago

A total of 44 people have been shot in the U.S. city of Chicago over the long weekend which began Wednesday afternoon, making it the second most violent Thanksgiving holiday in recent years, according to data compiled by the Chicago Tribune.

Eight of the 44 people were shot fatally from Wednesday afternoon to early Monday.

Although the number of shooting victims declined from 70 during the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it was still the second highest casualty total when compared with 28 people shot in 2015 and 19 in 2014.

The Chicago Tribune has for years tracked shooting incidents in Chicago and collected data based on crime reports.

There have been 621 homicides in Chicago as of Monday this year, with at least 3,322 people being shot, fewer than this time last year but well above previous years.

Chicago is considered the most gang-infested city in the United States with street gang shootings and retaliations being very common, especially in its south and west sides.

In 2016, Chicago recorded more homicides and shooting victims than New York City and Los Angeles combined, which prompted the Chicago police and civic organizations to join hands in curbing the gun-related crimes.

The number of shooting incidents in some neighborhoods this year has declined dramatically.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)