Investigation

FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence in Chicago

The number of people killed by guns in Chicago each month may fluctuate, but the psychological trauma in many neighborhoods is constant. How do wounded communities experience the violence, and how might they heal? In FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence, The Trace and WTTW explore lives affected by Chicago’s gun violence.

Community Violence

A Hidden Ingredient in Chicago’s Gun Violence: The Lack of Housing Options for At-Risk Young Men

“We know that wherever there is homelessness and housing insecurity, there is violence. So I think anybody who is concerned about crime in a city like Chicago should look at homelessness as a contributing factor.”
Nissa Rhee

Full Coverage

Lead Reporters

  • Brian Freskos

    News Editor
    Brian is The Trace’s news editor. He is responsible for identifying emerging opportunities for quick-turn news stories, ongoing watchdog coverage, and follow-up reporting. Between 2016 and 2022, Brian served as a reporter and staff writer at The Trace, covering gun trafficking and community-based violence prevention. He was part of the team that produced Missing Pieces, a multi-partner collaboration about the link between gun theft and violent crime that won a Deadline Club Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian was also a lead reporter for Off Target, an investigation in partnership with USA Today that helped prompt reforms to how the federal government polices gun dealers. Brian is based in Chicago and holds degrees from Columbia University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

  • Sarah Ryley

    Sarah Ryley was an investigative reporter for The Trace.

  • Arionne Nettles

    Arionne Nettles is a lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and the mother of a 14-year-old son.

  • Nissa Rhee

  • Dan Protess