A festive night in Chicago's Loop ended in tragedy when gunfire broke out late Friday, leaving one man dead and another badly hurt just steps from the city's bustling downtown core, police said.
Officers responding to reports of a shooting shortly after 10:30 p.m. found two men with gunshot wounds in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street, according to WGN-TV. One victim, who had been struck multiple times, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The second victim, an 18-year-old man, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was hospitalized in serious condition.
Investigators said they are still working to piece together what led up to the shooting. As of early Saturday, no arrests had been reported and police had not publicly identified any suspects.
Tree Lighting Drew Crowds Downtown Earlier
Hours before the gunfire, downtown had been packed with visitors for the city’s official Christmas tree lighting at Millennium Park, an annual tradition that pulls big crowds into the Loop, ABC7 Chicago reported. Families and sightseers lingered around nearby attractions, swelling foot traffic on sidewalks throughout the area.
Police have not said whether the shooting was connected in any way to the earlier holiday events. The timing, however, meant more people than usual were in the vicinity when shots were fired.
Another Shooting Earlier In The Loop
Roughly half an hour before the fatal shooting, officers were called to a separate incident just a few blocks away that left several teenagers wounded, according to WGN-TV. Chicago police said the two shootings are being treated as distinct cases.
Detectives are looking into whether there is any broader connection between the incidents but, for now, are investigating them separately. Authorities are urging anyone who might have seen either shooting, or who has cellphone or security video, to come forward.
Investigation Underway
Area detectives with the Chicago Police Department are leading the investigation and said they plan to release additional details as they confirm them. As of early Saturday, no arrests had been announced in connection with the Dearborn Street shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Chicago police.
