Navy Pier shooting — 2 men killed, allegedly by 'disgruntled employee': 'It was terrifying'
Police are looking for a 'disgruntled' ex-employee who allegedly fatally shot two men at Navy Pier Tuesday — leaving frantic patrons scrambling for shelter in bathrooms and cars at one of the state's premiere tourist attractions. Law enforcement officials said they know who they are looking for during a news briefing outside of Navy Pier but as of 4:15 p.m., the suspect had not been arrested. Investigators are "actively" searching for the gunman, who is a former employee of a sub-contractor at the pier who was fired on Oct. 14, police said during the briefing. Police, who said they believe they will have him in custody "soon," did not say where he worked. It was about 1:30 p.m. when paramedics were called to the pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., where they found the two wounded men outside, Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford said. Both were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, including one who was in "very critical" condition, Langford said. It's unclear if the shooter is still at large or if any arrests have been made in the case. Navy Pier was on lockdown for a couple of hours after a shooting Tuesday.Dave Newbart/Sun-Times A security guard located "two down," with shell casings surrounding them in a loading dock area, according to scanner traffic. Dozens of squad cars raced to the area, and officers — including some with automatic weapons — were seen patrolling the area. A tactical team wearing bulletproof vests and carrying rifles was seen canvassing an area with dumpsters before entering a garage.The pier was put on lockdown, and no one was allowed inside for a couple of hours. Others in the pier were told to shelter in place.Scanner traffic indicated police were looking for a man who was wearing a white chef's hat, a white chef's jacket and black pants who walked back into Navy Pier after the shooting. Dispatchers said as of 1:21 p.m. he was seen on video but had possibly changed into a black North Face sweater, white or beige pants and was wearing a black beanie. A witness driving through the pier's parking garage saw several officers, at least one with a gun drawn, looking into cars. Several officers blocked the entrance to the parking garage area. Shortly after 2 p.m., officers told staffers at the Chicago Sun-Times, which has offices inside Navy Pier, to not allow anyone in or out until further notice. Some Navy Pier employees took shelter in their cars, while others hid in a bathroom near one of the ballrooms, according to scanner traffic. Benjamin Scott, of Logan Square, said he went to Navy Pier to relax after getting off work.“I was enjoying myself listening to music,” he said.Scott saw a bunch of police officers arrive, so he left and was standing near the bus terminal when officers surrounded him, guns drawn. Scott was wearing some clothing that matched one of the suspects, he said. But Scott said he didn’t resist, and they soon let him go. “It’s really scary,” Scott said of the shooting.Jacoyah Harrison, 30, of Calumet City, was at the Pier with her mom to enjoy their day off and celebrate Harrison’s upcoming birthday. They were inside the Flyover when the show was halted. “We were in the middle of it, and then we had to evacuate,” she said. Then “we were greeted by machine guns,” her mom said, referring the police offficers with what appeared to be automatic weapons.Jessica Foster was visiting from Kansas City. She was walking outside and saw a commotion near some dumpsters."I was taking pictures. It was so windy," she said. Foster didn't realize what was going on until she learned there was a shooting and an officer said she needed to leave the area."It was terrifying," Foster said.
Police are looking for a 'disgruntled' ex-employee who allegedly fatally shot two men at Navy Pier Tuesday — leaving frantic patrons scrambling for shelter in bathrooms and cars at one of the state's premiere tourist attractions.
Law enforcement officials said they know who they are looking for during a news briefing outside of Navy Pier but as of 4:15 p.m., the suspect had not been arrested.
Investigators are "actively" searching for the gunman, who is a former employee of a sub-contractor at the pier who was fired on Oct. 14, police said during the briefing. Police, who said they believe they will have him in custody "soon," did not say where he worked.
It was about 1:30 p.m. when paramedics were called to the pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., where they found the two wounded men outside, Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford said.
Both were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, including one who was in "very critical" condition, Langford said.
It's unclear if the shooter is still at large or if any arrests have been made in the case.
A security guard located "two down," with shell casings surrounding them in a loading dock area, according to scanner traffic.
Dozens of squad cars raced to the area, and officers — including some with automatic weapons — were seen patrolling the area. A tactical team wearing bulletproof vests and carrying rifles was seen canvassing an area with dumpsters before entering a garage.
The pier was put on lockdown, and no one was allowed inside for a couple of hours. Others in the pier were told to shelter in place.
Scanner traffic indicated police were looking for a man who was wearing a white chef's hat, a white chef's jacket and black pants who walked back into Navy Pier after the shooting. Dispatchers said as of 1:21 p.m. he was seen on video but had possibly changed into a black North Face sweater, white or beige pants and was wearing a black beanie.
A witness driving through the pier's parking garage saw several officers, at least one with a gun drawn, looking into cars.
Several officers blocked the entrance to the parking garage area. Shortly after 2 p.m., officers told staffers at the Chicago Sun-Times, which has offices inside Navy Pier, to not allow anyone in or out until further notice.
Some Navy Pier employees took shelter in their cars, while others hid in a bathroom near one of the ballrooms, according to scanner traffic.
Benjamin Scott, of Logan Square, said he went to Navy Pier to relax after getting off work.
“I was enjoying myself listening to music,” he said.
Scott saw a bunch of police officers arrive, so he left and was standing near the bus terminal when officers surrounded him, guns drawn. Scott was wearing some clothing that matched one of the suspects, he said.
But Scott said he didn’t resist, and they soon let him go.
“It’s really scary,” Scott said of the shooting.
Jacoyah Harrison, 30, of Calumet City, was at the Pier with her mom to enjoy their day off and celebrate Harrison’s upcoming birthday.
They were inside the Flyover when the show was halted.
“We were in the middle of it, and then we had to evacuate,” she said. Then “we were greeted by machine guns,” her mom said, referring the police offficers with what appeared to be automatic weapons.
Jessica Foster was visiting from Kansas City. She was walking outside and saw a commotion near some dumpsters.
"I was taking pictures. It was so windy," she said.
Foster didn't realize what was going on until she learned there was a shooting and an officer said she needed to leave the area.
"It was terrifying," Foster said.
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