Chicago, IL

‘He’s a hero’: Fiancee speaks as Chicago police officer paralyzed from shooting recovers

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2022

‘He’s a hero’: Fiancee speaks as Chicago police officer paralyzed from shooting recovers

CHICAGO (WLS) — Tons of of individuals attended a prayer service at St. Rita Thursday night time for a Chicago police officer who was shot and paralyzed whereas attempting to interrupt up a battle whereas he was off-duty.

Among the many attendees was the household of Chicago Police Officer Danny Golden. Golden watched the service remotely and recorded a message for individuals who attened.

“I am working arduous to get again on the market,” he stated within the video. “Thanks for every part. To my household and buddies, thanks for every part.”

His father stated Golden’s chest tube was eliminated Thursday as he continues to get well at Christ Hospital in Oak Garden.

“He will be with us. He will be watching from his hospital room. We wish him to see the outpouring of affection and assist and hope,” stated Father Tom Mccarthy with St, Rita of Cascia Excessive Faculty.

Officer Golden’s ties to St. Rita’s Excessive Faculty run deep. Father McCarthy is a longtime good friend of the household and has been in shut contact with them because the taking pictures early Saturday morning when Golden tried to interrupt up a battle that broke out inside Beverly’s Sean Rhino’s bar earlier than spilling out onto the road.

The prayer service is as a lot for Golden as it’s for his family members, Fr. McCarthy stated.

“Danny would need this, for all of this household and buddies to offer hope. Additionally, that we’re all on this collectively, that as brothers and sisters we now have to be right here to assist one another,” Fr. McCarthy added.

3 charged in Beverly taking pictures that paralyzed off-duty CPD officer

Briefly wheeled out of the hospital to greet well-wishers on Tuesday, Golden appeared in good spirits, whilst a bullet stays lodged between his lungs.

A six-year veteran of the Chicago Police Division who additionally served within the Military for 4 years, Golden has been described by family members as nothing wanting a hero.
“It is simply one thing that is unexplainable,” Casey Szaflarski, Officer Golden’s fiancée, stated. “Type of like a nightmare.”

Szaflarski stated she’s nonetheless attempting to wrap her head round what occurred.

Golden was off-duty Saturday when he stepped in to cease a battle between a gaggle of males at Sean’s Rhino Bar in Beverly.

Prosecutors stated 19 shell casings had been recovered from the scene. Golden was shot within the again whereas a second man was shot within the leg.

Whereas the third-generation police officer’s life won’t ever be the identical, his fiancée stated Golden doesn’t remorse intervening within the battle that led to his accidents.

“He is one of many strongest individuals I’ve ever met in my total life,” Szaflarski stated. “He was instructed he may by no means stroll once more and all he retains speaking about is he is simply pleased he was capable of deescalate the state of affairs from different individuals getting damage.”
Officer Golden and Szaflarski are set to get married in October 2023. Their lives now modified ceaselessly by the incident, however the two strongly consider he was meant to be there.

“I do know in my coronary heart different individuals would’ve been damage if not lifeless and he does too,” Szaflarski. “He took that function as an officer and his responsibility was to guard everybody there that night time.”

nineteenth Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea stated Thursday Golden is meant to return to service as a police officer after his restoration.

“Understanding this younger man. You mark my phrases. He will probably be again in uniform with the Chicago Police Division in some capability,” O’Shea stated.

Whereas many have reached out in assist, there is not any scarcity of different kindness. The neighborhood rallied to lift greater than $1 million by means of a GoFundMe for his restoration.

Star NFL quarterback Tom Brady even chimed in with a number of phrases of assist for the officer.

“What’s up Danny…so sorry to listen to about what you are going by means of and simply know fascinated about you….respect all of your arduous work and your dedication to service,” Brady stated within the video.

Golden was usually seen in the neighborhood enjoying basketball or leaping rope with youngsters.

“I simply need everybody to know he is a hero,” Szaflarski stated.

Three males have been charged and are being held in reference to the taking pictures, which permits his family members to deal with Golden’s restoration.

Officer Carlos Yañez, who was injured within the line of responsibility final Summer season when his companion, Ella French was killed, additionally attended the prayer service.

Click to comment

Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.