A tragic domestic shooting incident occurred in a suburb of Chicago on August 9. It was later revealed that both the victims and the perpetrator belonged to the same Korean American family.
The deceased identified at the scene included 44-year-old Jean Song, 32-year-old Lauren Smith-Song, 73-year-old Chang Song, and 49-year-old Yuna Song. Jean Song, who was responsible for the deaths of his family members, subsequently took his own life with the same weapon. Jean Song was recognized as the youngest son in the Song family and Lauren Smith-Song is Jean’s wife.
Of those targeted by Jean’s violent act, only one individual survived. The survivor is believed to be Jean’s elder sister, and she is reportedly making progress in her recovery after undergoing surgery.
On August 24, someone familiar with the family’s situation shared that the 50-year-old woman, the sole survivor, had surgery on August 21 due to injuries to her arms and legs. Fortunately, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Though she is conscious, the survivor remains deeply affected by the harrowing event.
“It’s understood that the family never foresaw such a tragedy, given their tight-knit bond and absence of known conflicts,” the source commented. “She’s profoundly shaken, often succumbing to tears.”
“People familiar with Jean Song described him as courteous and kindhearted. No one recalls any violent behavior from him,” the source added.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, which is handling the investigation, has yet to release details, including potential motives. The event is classified as a domestic situation, and the individual involved is not considered a public threat.
Officials have announced that the survivor will be hospitalized for an estimated two months for further treatment. She will also receive psychological counseling during her stay.
Police Consul Taesu Yeo of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago visited the survivor in person on August 23 to express his condolences.
“The survivor is of Korean American descent. If she needs assistance, we will extend our full support, working closely with the Korean American Association of Chicago,” Yeo stated.
Yet, Yeo added a clarification, “We view this primarily as an internal family issue rather than a larger societal crime, thus emphasizing the importance of privacy and minimizing the consulate’s involvement.”
BY SUAH JANG [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
