Navy Pier Shooting: Disgruntled Levy employee shoots, kills two in downtown Chicago, CPD says

CHICAGO (WLS) – Two men were shot at Navy Pier Tuesday afternoon, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

Chicago police and firefighters responded to a report of shots fired at an administrative office near a loading dock in the 600 block of East Grand Avenue around 1:30 p.m., police said in a news conference Tuesday.

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A male Levy employee who had been terminated the month before fired the shots, police said.

“As the subcontractor’s former employer, he had access. He knew how to get to that rear loading dock area,” said Brian Murphy, chief operating officer at Navy Pier.

A 47-year-old man and a 51-year-old man, former co-workers of the employee, were shot in the head, according to police. They were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. They later died, police said.

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Her identity was not immediately released.

Navy Pier was closed for nearly an hour, but officials described the afternoon incident at the popular tourist destination as isolated.

“We had to shut down the entire store and the entire Navy Pier. Everyone has just closed. We had customers coming in the back,” said Navy Pier employee Diamond Foster.

Police have identified a suspect who is at large.

A shelter-in-place order at Navy Pier was lifted after police found through surveillance cameras that the shooter had left the area.

“They’re talking about, ‘Okay, everyone be quiet, but it’s a small threat,'” said Navy Pier visitor William Wright. “Everyone is really starting to be a bit of a threat. This is supposed to be Navy Pier.”

Police did not say who they were looking for, only that the shooter was a former employee of a subcontractor at Navy Pier.

There was a major Chicago police operation on the north side of the pier near the parking garage. CPD officers in tactical gear were seen in the area around 2 p.m

“Automatic weapons taken off, full SWAT gear, the shields, the whole thing works,” said Trent Halasek of Ohio.

The criminal police are investigating.

No weapon was recovered and police remained on scene around 5 p.m

Levy issued a statement saying: “We are deeply devastated by today’s tragic events and the shocking loss of two of our family members. Our hearts break for their families and loved ones, whose lives are forever changed.”

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