A man gunned down Thursday in Chicago marked what police say is the city's 500th homicide of the year. It's a dubious distinction that hasn't occurred since 2008, when the city ended the year with 512 murders.
Chicago surpassed 2011's 435 murder total in October.
Police are releasing few details about the shooting, which happened around 9 p.m. on the city's west side. The victim was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died.
Police said Chicago's 499th homicide victim was a man who died after he was shot at least four times – including in the face and chest – in a Gage Park neighborhood alley Wednesday night on the Southwest Side.
Frederico Martinez died from gunshot wounds he suffered near his home, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
Police said the 32-year-old Martinez was standing with a female in an alleyway down the block from his home when a light-colored pick-up truck approached and somebody inside opened fire on the two just before 10 p.m.
Martinez was shot in the face, chest and both arms and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died at 10:41 p.m., authorities said.
Behind the troubling statistics, flashing lights and crime tape, communities throughout the city are searching for solutions.
"There's no magic spell that can end it. It's a matter of people and neighborhoods coming together and deciding that it's not going to happen," said neighbor Robert Grider.
Larry Pickens, who is running in the special election to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in his now vacated 2nd Congressional seat, offered a few suggestions Thursday: "Teaching our young people alternative dispute resolution, non-violent strategies for addressing conflict and getting guns off the street."