Chicago officials make plea to shooters after deadly weekend: 'Get your buddies to put down the guns’

At least 73 people were shot in the city over the weekend

Chicago officials called on community members to hold shooters and gangs responsible after a violent weekend left at least 12 dead in shootings across the city.

Rahm Emanuel, the embattled Democratic mayor who faces demands to resign over continued citywide gun violence, turned the blame onto criminals and repeat offenders during a Monday press conference.

"Somebody knows who did it," the mayor said after at least 66 people were shot since Friday. "These individuals out here in the street need to stop pulling the trigger … where is the accountability for them?"

Mr Emanuel was joined by Eddie Johnson, the city’s police superintendent who has also faced criticism from activist groups over his handling of ongoing gun violence.

The conference became particularly tense at one point when a former shooter and reformed criminal activist confronted the superintendent over a lack of public safety measures that have been implemented in cities that have drastically reduced gun violence, like New York.

The superintendent defended the work of Chicago’s police department while acknowledging it "could be doing better".

"The police department isn’t here to raise children," he said. "It’s not about what the police department should do, it’s about what you should do.”

Mr Johnson called on gang members and shooters to inform police about who was potentially responsible for several seemingly targeted shootings, saying "Get your buddies to put down the guns."

At least 46 people have been arrested on gun charged in the wake of one of the most violent weekends in recent Chicago history, officials said.

Overall, gun violence across the city has been reduced throughout the year, with a 15-month consecutive decline reported in June. Last month's figures have not yet been reported.

Still, crime and gun violence remain prevalent in many regions across Chicago — specifically in four districts, where communities have started blaming Mr Emanuel and his aides for failing to resolve systemic problems.

The mayor echoed the police superintendent on Monday, claiming "there is a shortage of values about what is right, what is wrong" after the spasm of citywide violence.

"We as a city in every corner have an accountability and responsibility. If you know who did this, be a neighbour," he continued. "Speak up."