5 shot, 1 fatally, at Morgan Park pancake house

Lumes Pancake House in Morgan Park is known to be bustling with people of all ages on Sunday mornings — from churchgoers to families and friends.

But about an hour before it was scheduled to close on Sunday, the popular breakfast spot was sprayed by bullets, leaving one person dead and four people wounded.

About 1:50 p.m., a man was dining under a tent at the restaurant, 11601 S. Western Ave., when a white SUV pulled up and fired shots in his direction, Chicago police and fire officials said.

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The 31-year-old was struck multiple times and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Investigators believe he was the intended target.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Devon Welsh of Back of the Yards. Autopsy results ruled his death a homicide.

Four other people were also struck, police said. Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) said a police officer applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding for one gunshot victim on the scene and “may have saved a life.”

A man and woman, both 32, were shot in their legs and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where their conditions were stabilized, police said. A 43-year-old woman was shot in the abdomen and buttocks and taken to the same hospital, where her condition was also stabilized.

Another woman, 30, was shot in the foot, police said. She was in good condition at Little Company of Mary Hospital.

It’s unclear if the victims were at the restaurant together.

Justin Davis, 20, said he was sitting on his backyard patio when he heard “30 shots” ring out.

“I’ve never heard something like that before,” said Davis, who lives down the street from Lumes Pancake House. “It’s just crazy.”

Davis ran out of his backyard to see what the commotion was. Then, he saw people running — including children and older ladies — from the pancake house.

“[At] a restaurant, like Lumes? Come on,” Davis said. “In a neighborhood like this, nothing like that going on over here. So it’s definitely something we have to watch out for, it’s just one of those things now.”

O’Shea, who had been on the scene all afternoon, said the “senseless violence must stop.”

“All Chicagoans should be able to go out to eat without fear,” O’Shea said in a statement. “Today’s incident was a horrific tragedy, and we must work together to hold those responsible accountable.”

O’Shea also pleaded with the community, asking anyone who might have information regarding Sunday’s shooting to come forward.

“We need your help to prevent more violence and loss of life,” O’Shea said. “We need to partner with the police and we need to support the police.”

The shooting comes after six people were wounded — including a 17-year-old boy — on Wednesday night at a parking lot in Gresham on the South Side.

Area Two detectives are investigating.

This is a developing story, check back for details.

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