Residents, Chicago activists react to shooting near Garfield Ridge tavern

Unaffiliated Chicago community activists (from left) Attorney Domingo Vargas, resident Raul Montes Jr. and Dr. Kim Tee came to support a small number of residents who are frightened by the recent shooting near the alleged illegally opened bar.

Garfield Ridge residents expressed fear and frustration Sunday night after a shooting Friday night in the 7000 block of West Archer Avenue killed one person and injured two. 

Residents and Chicago activists held a press conference Sunday night outside the former Halina’s Pub at 7023 W. Archer and called for the tavern’s permanent closure and an increased police presence in Garfield Ridge, citing a rise in area shootings. 

Community members also want Illinois State Police to intensify the vetting of concealed carry license applicants. 

The allegedly unlicensed new bar opened Friday night in the former Halina’s Pub, a 28-year-old business that closed Nov. 3. 

“It’s an outrage,” said 4-year neighborhood resident and community activist Raul Montes Jr. “People in the area want this business shut down. We’re out here raising awareness and we think this needs to stop. There’s been increased shooting and crime in the area.” 

Montes also cited more reckless driving and thinks Illinois State Police need to pay closer attention to Conceal Carry applicants. 

“They keep on giving conceal carry cards to people that I know for a fact, have priors, domestic violence cases against them and have been arrested,” he said. “I’m not against the right to bear arms but do it the right way.” 

According to Chicago police, a physical altercation between two men, ages 27 and 31, and a 28-year-old concealed carry permit holder escalated into gunfire. The 28-year-old reportedly worked as a bouncer at the tavern. One man died, while the others, one critically, were injured. 

Residents questioned how the tavern was allowed to operate despite a moratorium on new bar licenses in the 13th Ward. Some speculate the establishment reused a previous liquor license to expedite its opening. 

The tavern’s back bar, fully stocked with liquor bottles including an empty beer bottle and shot glass on the front bar top, was viewed through the window. 

“As an example, in the southern suburbs, liquor licenses are not as expensive as in the City of Chicago,” said private defense attorney, community activist and former Blue Island mayor, Domingo Vargas Vargas. “In the city, liquor license costs are in the thousands, so this business opened on Friday and had an incident on that same day, which isn’t fair to residents.” 

Vargas is thankful that given the high volume of traffic on Archer Avenue, other persons were not harmed.  

“Someone at city hall has to respond to this for the benefit of the residents who live around here,” he added. 

Dr. Kim Tee, a suburban resident and Chicago business owner, said the cycle of violence feels repetitive. “It’s funerals, press conferences, and inaction,” he said. “Politicians must act to tighten gun laws.” 

Tee operates his medical clinic in Bridgeport. He expressed concern for many of his patients who live in the area including Brighton Park and Gage Park. 

“I know the mayor is not going to do something,” he said. “Gun violence has been taking over the streets of Chicago,” he said. “When are the politicians going to step out and do something? They need to tighten and make stricter gun laws.” 

In the end, Vargas expressed anger over how individuals disagree in today’s society. 

 “The whole country is turning into the wild west where everybody thinks if there is an argument, instead of fist fights like it was back in the day, if you see somebody incorrectly, they bring out a gun,” he said. “They say that’s the manly way to settle an argument; it’s not. That’s the cowardly way to do it. Unfortunately it’s turning these neighborhoods into war zones and it’s not fair.”

On Saturday, Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) released a statement about the shooting:

“Because of the swift action of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, I was alerted to a change of ownership at this business. I believe I was not alerted directly because I have never lifted a moratorium on liquor licenses in the 13th Ward.

“I immediately reported the business to the Chicago Police Department and business license inspectors to be investigated for violating the liquor license moratorium. The business license inspectors were in the establishment investigating at the time of the incident and fortunately no one was injured.

“I’m currently working closely with the zoning administrator to change the zoning and permanently shut this business down. I will be attending the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch meeting this Tuesday, Nov. 19, and encourage residents to attend and sign the petition to close this business for good.”

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at St. Faustina Hall, 5157 S. McVicker Ave.