A Texas delegate attending the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago was robbed at gunpoint early Wednesday, underscoring the city’s escalating crime problem. The delegate was walking downtown with a friend at approximately 2 a.m. when two masked men in a dark blue Range Rover confronted them. The armed assailants threatened to shoot the victims if they did not surrender their belongings.

After the robbery, the suspects targeted two more individuals across the street before fleeing. Police described the suspects as two Black males dressed in black and wearing ski masks, both armed with a semi-automatic handgun. These criminals are suspected of being linked to a series of robberies in the area.

On Thursday, Chicago police issued a community alert, urging residents to share any information that could help in apprehending the suspects. Chicago’s crime rates have continued to surge, with nearly 1,400 shootings and 344 murders reported so far this year. The city was infamously labeled “the murder capital” of the U.S. in 2023.

This violent incident highlights the dangerous environment surrounding one of the country’s largest political events. Over the past weekend, the city saw 26 shooting incidents, resulting in 30 victims and five deaths. Despite the significance of the DNC, Chicago’s persistent crime problem remains a critical concern for both residents and visitors.