The attack sparked masses of festival-goers and shoppers to run for cover just before 9 p.m. in the first block of West Washington Street when a woman stumbled into Macy’s with a gunshot wound, Chicago police said.
CBS Chicago
A shooting that wounded a 19-year-old woman outside a downtown Macy’s caused confusion and chaos Saturday night as the city gathered for several holiday festivities.
The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. in the first block of West Washington Street when a woman walking with other people was shot in the thigh and hand, Chicago police said.
“She was walking when she heard loud noises and felt pain,” said police spokesperson Kellie Bartoli.
The victim ran into Macy’s for help and paramedics carried her from the popular retail store on a stretcher, rushing her to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she was in fair condition, officials said.
Moments after the shooting, people could be seen outside Macy’s running for safety as holiday festivities took place nearby, including the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and parade and the second day of Christkindlmarket in the Loop.
Officers cordoned off the area using crime scene tape and launched an investigation.
On Monday Bartoli said no one, including any juveniles, have been arrested or charged in connection with the shooting.
Earlier, Ald. William Conway (34th) told CBS Chicago a juvenile was in custody in connection with the shooting but Bartoli refuted that.
In a statement, Macy’s asserted the safety of their customers and staffers is their primary concern.
“We are saddened about the incident that took place outside of Macy’s State Street,” a Macy’s spokesperson said. “We are working closely with the local police department on this investigation and defer all comments about the case to them.”
CBS Chicago
The Chicago Loop Alliance, which aims to “keep the Loop a vibrant global business district and recognized world-class destination,” contends the shooting was an isolated incident but acknowledges they have “issues” in the Loop, spokesperson Ariella Gibson said.
The organization uses ambassadors along State Street to communicate with business owners and police in an effort to keep the area safe.
“We need systemic changes,” said Gibson. “Yes, we have issues [in the Loop] that need to be addressed and need to be solved, but they need to be solved across the city, not just in one area.”
Gibson said there hasn’t been much hesitation from Chicagoans to come downtown following the shooting, and she encourages those concerned to visit the Loop.
“When there are more people downtown, there usually are fewer things that happen,” Gibson said. “We want people to come downtown. We want people to enjoy themselves, [we want them] to make our city thrive and safe.”
“We need people to take the chance and see for themselves how positive an experience can be in the Loop,” Gibson said.