Given this story’s close proximity to April Fool’s Day, many questioned its authenticity, but as details continue to stream forth, this tale appears to be all too real. A few days ago, a viral video professed to show a Chicagoan being shot as he took a “selfie” video. In the clip, he comments upon a convenience store behind him, which he jokes may be required as “somewhere to duck and hide for cover.” After several seconds of shaky footage, the man falls to the ground, and his camera phone spirals along with his body. Then the camera captures an apparent active shooter above the victim, whose footage continues to roll, as at least a dozen shots continue to fire.
The haunting clip appeared to capture a grisly scene where a victim was gunned down, although his fate remained unknown. The local Chicago media poked into events as they happened.
Selfie cell phone video of man as he's shot repeatedly. The gun shots on camera. New tonight at 10p @WGNNews
— MarkSuppelsa (@MarkSuppelsa) April 1, 2016
Chicago Tribune reporter Peter Nickeas, who spends his entire existence covering the city’s violence, reported that authorities took the clip seriously and commenced an investigation.
Video is probably real but important (essential, IMO) to make sure it's real, not just that it couldn't conceivably be fake.
— Peter Nickeas (@PeterNickeas) April 1, 2016
The Chicago Tribune picked up more details, including how the man was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. The name of the victim was not released, but Officer Veejay Zala confirmed that he survived gunshots to the face and groin area.
Those who viewed the eerie clip could sense how the victim noticed trouble on the horizon before falling to the ground. A woman screams in the background, and police confirmed to the Tribune that the video depicts what they believe is an accurate scene. Nickeas continued to report his findings as well, and he also revealed how police were “privately more confident (a lot more)” than what they initially revealed.
Detectives are "working to validate the authenticity of the video" that's floating around, according to CPD News Affairs. #chicago
— Peter Nickeas (@PeterNickeas) April 1, 2016
Police are privately more confident (a lot more) in the video's authenticity than the CPD news affairs statement lets on
— Peter Nickeas (@PeterNickeas) April 1, 2016
Twitter was flush with alarmed reactions on this horrific clip, which has brought voyeurism full circle on social media.
https://twitter.com/GoodieDickman/status/715740110759677953
This video is disturbing. Hopefully it can become a wake up call to #stoptheviolence Please people just stop!
— Vera E Edmerson, MScTRM (@ohmsv1) April 1, 2016
CBS News updated with an official statement from Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi: “We are confident [this] isn’t a hoax.” The disturbing (and graphic) video is still online while the investigation remains ongoing.
(Via Chicago Tribune & CBS News)