A woman was slumped on the sidewalk outside a downtown Chicago Starbucks, Lake Street 455pm August 18, 2025
The first day of school in Chicago was a case study in collapse. From homicides on the street to a gun confiscated at one of the city’s most prestigious high schools, to downtown drug arrests, mass shootings, intentional flooding, a CTA train derailment, and even a building giving way in Englewood, the picture of a city in free fall came into sharp focus.
While the mayor posed with armed police security at a grammar school photo op, the rest of the city was bleeding, drowning, and collapsing.
By the end of the day the count was brutal: 11 people shot, 2 dead, 2 in custody — including 4 teenagers.
17-year-old female, grazed shoulder at BP gas station, 1500 E. 76th (mass shooting).
17-year-old male, multiple gunshot wounds, 6100 S. Whipple, serious condition.
16-year-old male, calf wound, 7100 S. Vernon.
17-year-old male, calf wound, walk-in at Mt. Sinai, 200 W. Garfield Blvd.
Morning Collapse in Englewood
The school day started with a city already falling apart — literally. At 9:18 a.m., CFD reported a building collapse at 6725 S. Loomis in Englewood.
“Building collapse response at 6725 S Loomis has been secured; no injuries or transports; building was vacant.” — CFD Media
By the time crews arrived, half the structure was down and a demolition team was already on site to clear what remained. Neighbors said this wasn’t an isolated case — “there are many more on the block” — with rows of abandoned and unstable homes left to rot until they give way.
The “no injuries” line only covered the immediate scene. The larger danger — collapsing stockpiles of neglected housing across the South and West Sides — remains unaddressed.
Afternoon: Shootings and a Working-Class Target
By early afternoon, the bullets were already flying. At 1:05 p.m., a 63-year-old Uber driver was shot in the back at 6300 S. Francisco. He managed to self-transport to St. Bernard Hospital, where his bullet-riddled Toyota Camry sat in the parking lot, shell casings left on the street where the attack started. Ambulance 14 later transferred him to the University of Chicago, a Level I trauma center.
Police gave no motive. Another working man targeted, another car riddled with holes, another city block left with casings scattered in broad daylight.
At 3:24 a.m., hours before the school day began, a 28-year-old man was shot multiple times in the back near 6900 S. Stony Island and rushed to the University of Chicago in critical condition. Area One detectives were investigating, no one in custody.
Gun at Whitney Young: CPS Prestige, First Day Panic
As students streamed back into classrooms, even the “best and brightest” weren’t spared. At Whitney Young Magnet High School, the crown jewel of CPS selective enrollment, a gun was found during routine entry screening.
Principal Rickey Harris emailed parents:
“The gun was identified during our standard entry screening. It was secured and did not get further into the building.”
One student was arrested. Charges pending. The symbolism cut deep — Chicago’s school year opened with a firearm at the door of its most elite campus.
Mayor’s Photo Op with Armed Detail
While shootings mounted, Mayor Brandon Johnson staged his own back-to-school photo op at Austin College and Career Academy.
“A new school year brings new opportunities for our children to learn and grow into amazing people,” Johnson posted online.
The photos showed him smiling with students — flanked by armed police pulled from citywide detail. Security for his image-making, while neighborhoods bled.
Downtown: Drugs, Vagrants, Arrests, and Fights
By mid-afternoon, the city’s core showed its rot. A woman was slumped on the sidewalk outside a downtown Chicago Starbucks, Lake Street 455pm August 18, 2025 and there were others all along Lake street.
On Roosevelt at the Orange Line stop, drug dealing and open use were visible in the open. Arrests followed, captured in real-time by SubX.News.
At Ida B. Wells and State, the sidewalks became a camp, people sprawled across blocks next to shuttered buildings. On Lake Street, Starbucks doorways and viaduct corners turned into what residents now call “the dope street in downtown”.
By the evening rush, violence spilled into transit.
Scanner captured the chaos at Harrison:
“6:33 PM — 911 caller reports six people fighting on the Red Line platform.”
“6:37 PM — Police on scene, individual bleeding from the head.”
“6:43 PM — Suspect detained, shirtless male in khaki pants.”
“6:47 PM — Ambulance arrives, victim checked, suspect in custody.”
Red Line Derailment
Just an hour later, the Red Line itself buckled. At 7:44 p.m., CTA confirmed service between Howard and Wilson suspended after a minor derailment.
“Service on the Red Line has been temporarily suspended between Howard and Wilson due to a minor derailment. Bus shuttles are available … We are working to restore service as quickly as possible. Allow extra travel time.” — CTA Alert
Even as fights bled across its platforms, the trains themselves were leaving the tracks.
Night: Floods by Design
As the storms rolled in, the streets went under.
At 10:35 p.m., SubX.News live video showed 27th and Western underwater, where the city keeps SWAT staging, schools, and its own animal control center.
Sewers were stopped at 11:15 pm:
“That means something is stopping the water from going down. If something or someone is stopping the water from going down that means it goes into your house. That means it floods. So the city or the MWRD are intentionally flooding hundreds if not thousands of homes every time it rains.”
Systemic Collapse
By midnight the city’s balance sheet looked like collapse: 11 shot, 2 dead, 2 in custody — four teenagers among the wounded.
Buildings crumbling, students hit before and after school, a gun confiscated in CPS’ most prestigious hallway, drugs downtown, vagrancy spreading, fights on train platforms, derailments in the night rush, intentional flooding drowning whole blocks — all while the mayor staged his photo ops under armed guard.
The first day of school was supposed to mark renewal.
Instead, it was proof of a city collapsing physically, socially, and politically all at once — with children caught in the crossfire.
References
Live Video Feed Chicago economy crime and migrant update 430pm August 18th 2025 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14GiAoyuZts/
Male (33) shot multiple times 11008 S Normal the victim is in serious condition and he was transferred to UofC, a Level I Trauma Center. the crime scene consists of 3 shell casings his GSWs are back of left upper arm below the collarbone, left of his sternum 438 PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SPOTNEWSonIG/status/1957557777649529223
Downtown Chicago drug spots are getting worse and it’s all older Americans mostly African Americans drugged up laid out on the sidewalks 450pm August 18th 2025 this is Lake Street it stretches at least up until Michigan Avenue from Clark https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1MByDDKJZV/
A Q&A provided to Whitney Young Magnet HS parents regarding today’s incident in which a student brought a gun to school. The principal says information about who brought gun to the school can’t be shared because of privacy reasons and the consequences can’t be released, also because of private reasons. The school says Chicago Police will be present for arrival and dismissal. 4:49 PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/CPD1617Scanner/status/1957560575187140960
Two shot 63rd and Francisco sounds like a senior citizen and somebody else might be shot so far one confirmed shot might be a SWAT situation 506pm August 18th 2025 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15AMzQ1G864/ only one shot … Male (63) shot in the back, 6341 S Francisco the victim is an Uber driver, he self-transported to St. Bernard Hospital, Ambo 14 transferred him to UofC, a Level I Trauma Center. the crime scene consists of at least 3 shell casings in the street, and the victim’s shot up 2017 Toyota Camry at St. Bernard Hospital. https://x.com/SPOTNEWSonIG/status/1957540133290275010
At least seven teenagers messing around in a McDonald’s threatening people 8415 South Pulaski 516pm August 18th 2025 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FSmcoTbey/
Hold up alarm on 2100 West Chicago 524pm August 18th 2025 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZKKUpGsfR/
Drug use and drug dealing over here on Roosevelt Orange Line stop in a public space train station where people are coming back from the first day of school right next to a Cook County sheriff’s Police Station 525pm August 18th 2025 Video https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957570704825528456
Can you head over to 3326 N Nottingham, please? The caller said his home was broken into, that the back door has been kicked in. 531PM · Aug 18, 2025 This burglary happened about 320pm. No one was home. A neighbor said they came in through the alley, kicked the back door in, 2 guys with masks, and the one in the pictures kept watch in front (pictures) https://x.com/DunningWatch/status/1957571137551978876
UPW Inbound and outbound trains are stopped between Chicago and West Chicago due to high wind warnings. The duration of this delay is unknown. Metra will provide updates as information becomes available. (Updated 5:29pm) 532PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/metraUPW/status/1957571212638581178
Assault in progress 1250 South Michigan Jimmy John’s 543pm August 18th 2025 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G1sJujL1q/ assault call but there’s nobody in the Jimmy John’s as you see no police showed up 545pm August 18th 2025 #ChicagoScanner 1250 South Michigan video https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957576114622087549
more storms coming this evening be safe 555pm August 18th 2025 downtown Chicago https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957578633989771721
Storms Coming 6pm Aug 18 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957578756974883320
The rain just started coming on all of a sudden really quick 603 p.m. August 18th 2025 downtown Chicago on Columbus Avenue by Grant Park https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957579595042914665
Redline Harrison bunch of people fighting on the platform 653PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957591769773932782
Washington library called they want people to be removed sounds like they’re doing drug dealing 711pm August 18th 2025 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JGjnb9pW5/
Bunch of people here on Ida B Wells by the abandoned Robert Morris University sleeping on the sidewalk next to State Street 715pm August 18th 2025 call of an earlier disturbance I think it was a stab in here about 6:30 or so I have to check the radio calls video https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957597951464784047
Smoking weed on a train Red Line bothering people south of the Cermak stop the police talk to them and let him go 735PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957602293374718440
6048 South artesian somebody shot 735PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957602317303267406
Why do water department vehicles have political signs for Brandon Johnson on them? 743PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957604217033465937
Derailed train Howard Red Line in the yard 755PM · Aug 18, 2025 About 100 passengers on each train need to be removed https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957607269111329237 Still & box 7519 N Paulina CTA trains derailed, 220 people will have to be walked down the tracks to the station. No injuries at this time
7718 South Kingston somebody shot 736PM · Aug 18, 2025 Shot twice in the legs shot twice in the head critical condition on Kingston https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957602413331751326 the victim is in critical condition at UofC w/ 2 GSWs to the head and 2 GSWs to the left ankle. the crime scene consists of the victim’s blood. there was a weapon on scene, it had to recovered because ppl were around. the UCR Code was changed to a 0-1-1-0 at 2002 hours https://x.com/SPOTNEWSonIG/status/1957611759675564094
Theft 1427 West 47th stealing from the Burlington 8:28 PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957615679722647821
75th/Stony: person shot at the BP! he has a GSW to the left forearm 819PM · Aug 18, 2025 NOW there are 2 drop-off gunshot victims at Jackson Park Hospital. 3 shot, 1534 E 75th St M/63 – L forearm M/31 – R flank F/17 – L shoulder (Graze) https://x.com/SPOTNEWSonIG/status/1957613320204153247
Redline Van Buren eight individuals fighting on the platform 844PM Aug 18, 2025 Knives are involved https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957619812613648821
CTA violence Fullerton Red Line train car 5824 passenger with a box cutter 844PM Aug 18 2025 box cutter guy is detained at Fullerton https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957619635551187101
Crime is Intentional in Chicago … The city allows crime to happen … they allow drug dealing gambling drinking boosting whatever … and then it leads to violence … there was a call of eight people fighting with knives on the train platform and come by here a few minutes later and people are hanging out doing their thing … it’s not an accident that crime happens in Chicago it’s intentional by the city government 845 pm August 18th 2025 video https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957628689023217880
Harassing customers 2113 South State Street 905PM Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957624950476489190
Rain just started again 900pm August 18th 2025 Chicago https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957625515310739645
CPD and the Cook County Sheriff’s holding it down over here at Roosevelt Orange Line dope spot about 910pm August 18th 2025 Video https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957628981101973581
Looks like a homeless guy maybe on drugs is all wet called an ambulance for himself Roosevelt and Canal at the Dunkin’ Donuts about 915 pm August 18th 2025 video https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957630331097608503
Car on FIre … 9:36:28 PM … 57 N Western https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957690050621194684
Male black taking off his clothes 95th Street Red Line mezzanine looks like a mental health breakdown … Now putting his clothes back out but says he needs to go to the hospital 950 PM Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957636314381066633
Officers are fighting with people 5400 South Schubert 1003PM Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957639437376188705
77 and Kedzie Burbank needs assistance carjacking car they bailed 1016PM Aug 18, 2025 Can we have a canine over here by 71st and Whipple they’re looking for that carjacking suspect https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957642845671878948
Imagine a government that can’t even keep flooding away from its own government buildings … we got a bunch of places here including a rapid response area for SWAT … we got a school and a college and the animal control center 27th and Western 1035 p.m. August 18th 2025 … Bump out underwater is pretty cool ain’t it … HiHo https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957649075324481920
one in custody Roosevelt Red Line 1054 PM Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957652332524552232
Everyone is cleared from the trains from the derailment over at Howard Red Line station 1102PM Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957654427223130114
if you’re reporting on puddles in the city keep your window closed … HiHo1107 PM Aug 18, 2025 video https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957655700718731399
Chicago Flooding is Intentional … its a systems problem and either the city or the mwrd is responsible … look there is no leaves at this manhole … that means something is stopping the water from going down … if something or someone is stopping the water from going down that means it goes into your house … that means it floods … so the city or the mwdr are intentionally flooding hundreds if not thousands of homes every time it rains … HiHo August 18th 2025 1115pm 37th and Winchester Chicago South Side https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1957666597729894582
Bonafied male electrocuted 188 north state cta redline tracks. Victim is DOA 4:59 AM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/Ace_chicago/status/1957381824423854377
Chicago Mayor’s Office Happy first day of school Chicago! appx 9am Austin College and Career Academy https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17FwfEWwh4/ Mayor Brandon Johnson, X Post (18 August 2025) https://x.com/ChicagosMayor/status/1957555176501383524
Building collapse response at 6725 S Loomis has been secured; no injuries or transports; building was vacant. 9:18 AM · Aug 18, 2025 https://x.com/CFDMedia/status/1957447128814346253
A student was arrested this morning for bringing a gun to the first day of class at Whitney Young Magnet High School. From cwbchicago.com 1:38 PM · Aug 18, 2025 https://cwbchicago.com/2025/08/student-brought-gun-to-first-day-of-class-at-whitney-young-officials.html
Block Club Chicago – Gun Found At Whitney Young High School On First Day Of Classes (18 August 2025) https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/18/gun-found-at-whitney-young-high-school-on-first-day-of-classes/
There was a small fire in the elevator motor at Wright College, 4300 N Narragansett. The fire was out on CFD’s arrival. They’re going to take the system off 911 while they do repairs and then it will go back on when they’re finished 2:44 PM · Aug 18, 2025 video https://x.com/DunningWatch/status/1957529013628596407
CTA Service Alert – Red Line Derailment (18 August 2025) https://www.transitchicago.com/travel-information/alert-detail/?AlertId=109666
Chicago Shooting Incidents — Aug 17–19, 2025
(1 shot) 200 W Garfield Blvd Aug 19 1:45am — 17M calf wound (fair), walk-in at Mt Sinai (9th Dist)
(1 shot) 6000 S Artesian Aug 18 7:24pm — 26F grazed eye & thigh (good) (8th Dist, 2 in custody)
(3 shot) 1500 E 76th Mass Shooting Aug 18 8:10pm — 17F grazed shoulder (good), 31M flank (fair), 63M forearm (good) (3rd Dist)
(1 shot, 1 dead) 7700 S Kingston Aug 18 6:48pm — 23M head wound (4th Dist)
(1 shot) 6300 S Francisco Aug 18 1:05pm — 63M back wound (good), 23M uninjured (8th Dist)
(1 shot) 6100 S Whipple Aug 18 8:20am — 17M multiple wounds (serious) (8th Dist)
(1 shot, 1 dead) 7500 S Stony Island Homicide Aug 18 6:48am — Male multiple wounds (4th Dist)
(1 shot) 7100 S Vernon Aug 17 11:00pm — 16M calf wound (good) (3rd Dist) delayed report
(1 shot) 6900 S Stony Island Aug 18 3:24am — 28M multiple back wounds (critical) (3rd Dist)
Note: The Vernon case (Aug 17, 11:00pm) was not reported until the morning of Aug 18, shifting it into the next day’s statistics. This kind of delayed posting is a common CPD practice to soften official daily shooting totals, or when the next day is important like a holiday or first day of school.
