Shots fired by 2 groups in Back of the Yards leave 4 wounded in fitness studio

Shots fired by two groups outside a Back of the Yards fitness studio Monday night sent bullets through the building's windows. Four people inside were wounded, including a 13-year-old girl.

Two groups began exchanging gunfire about 8:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of West 51st Street. People taking a Zumba class and witnesses inside Body Factory Nutrition took cover, Chicago police said.

When police responding to several reports of gunfire arrived, five witnesses told officers they were "in the middle of their Zumba class when bullets came through the front windows, striking their friends," according to a police report.

Others who were taking a photo heard loud bangs and "immediately ran to the back of the dance studio," the report said.

The wounded — a man, a girl and two women — ranged in age from 13 to 57.

The 13-year-old girl, who was shot in the lower back, was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in fair condition. A 29-year-old man, who was shot in the neck, was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said.

Additionally, a 48-year-old woman was shot in the left arm. She was also taken to U of C in good condition, and a 57-year-old woman who was shot in the right hand was taken to St. Bernard Hospital, police said.

Multiple shell casings, including ones from at least one rifle, were found at 5114 S. Laflin St., across from the fitness studio, the report said. A Cadillac, a nearby building and a city utility truck were damaged.

On Tuesday afternoon, two women were carrying boxes out of the studio and locking the gates.

The women told the Sun-Times they were not at the studio at the time of the shooting and did not know who was responsible.

The building owners could not be reached for comment.

Area One detectives are investigating.

No arrests have been made.