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In recent days, Chicago has been grappling with a troubling trend known as "teen wilding." For the second time this weekend, the downtown area experienced chaotic scenes, gunfire, and a major police response. 

On Saturday night, an estimated 400 teenagers flooded into Downtown Chicago, smashing car windows, beating people, and attempting to gain entry into Millennium Park.  Checkpoints were in place, and individuals under 21 were not allowed entry without an adult. 

Due to the robberies and violence police were escorting tourists and others back to their cars in the Millennium Park garage.

One victim recounted how her husband was beaten as he sat in their car. The windows were shattered, and the car was vandalized by the unruly crowd. The man has since been taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. 

Shots were fired near Madison and Michigan. And local outlet FOX 32 Chicago removed their news crews from the scene due to safety concerns.

https://youtu.be/rvX6MyVkGKI

Video footage on social media showed some teenagers dancing on top of a CTA bus. As a result of buses being stopped on the street and vandalized CTA had to disrupt some services in the downtown area.

This is not the first time that Chicago has experienced such incidents. On Friday night, hundreds of teenagers descended on 31st Avenue Beach. There was 1 serious injury where a 14-year-old was shot and remains hospitalized.

Teen wilding invades Chicago

The term "teen wilding" was first coined after a heinous attack in New York's Central Park in 1989 when a female jogger was brutally assaulted by a large group of teens.

 The name has since stuck, and authorities believe that the trend of "flash mob crime sprees" or "teen wilding" has gained traction on social media and spread across the United States.

 According to the Urban Dictionary, the slang term refers to "marauding in bands to terrorize strangers and to swagger and bully."

This year New York City, San Francisco and Austin, Texas have also experienced similar events.

Chicago officials are now grappling with how to address this disturbing trend and prevent further incidents from occurring.