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A peaceful gathering on Chicago’s South Side erupted into horror late Friday when an SUV pulled up and two occupants opened fire on a crowd, shooting at least 12 people in what appears to be a brazen drive-by attack during Juneteenth celebrations.

The vehicle sped away from the scene, leaving two men — one with a gunshot wound to the thigh — in critical condition. The victims, eight men and four women ranging in age from 17 to 47, were rushed to four different hospitals. Another man suffered unknown injuries but refused treatment.

Police initially responded to a report of one person shot but quickly discovered multiple victims with wounds to the back and other areas. As of now, no arrests have been announced and the motive remains unclear.

This shocking mass shooting adds to a grim and bloody weekend in Chicago, where at least 21 people were shot since Friday evening, resulting in four deaths. The timing — on Juneteenth, a day meant to celebrate freedom and resilience — has left many in the community outraged and heartbroken.

Local pastor and gun violence advocate Donovan Price captured the pain felt by so many:

“It should be celebrating. Fireworks should not turn into gunshots.”

The incident comes on the same day former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama welcomed the first visitors to his new presidential center on the South Side — a painful juxtaposition of progress and persistent violence in the city.

As detectives work to piece together what happened, this latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for solutions to Chicago’s ongoing struggle with gun violence, even on days that should be filled with hope and unity.