CHICAGO (WLS) — A man was fatally shot and another man was injured during an early Wednesday morning shooting near a River North hotel, Chicago police said.
The gunfire erupted around 3:20 a.m. in the 500-block of North State Street, according to police.
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Investigators said two men, ages 65 and 30, were standing outside when they heard shots and realized they had been hit.
The 30-year-old suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.
The 65-year-old was struck in the foot and was also taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Police said he was listed in fair condition.
An employee at the Royal Sonesta Chicago River North said he heard several gunshots, but added that no hotel guests or staff members were involved.
Surveillance footage shown to ABC7 by a hotel employee appeared to show two people stepping out of a light-colored sedan with large guns, firing rapidly and then driving off.
Alderman Brendan Reilly said the shooting was connected to gang activity.
“Gun violence downtown is totally unacceptable – just as should be unacceptable in any of Chicago’s neighborhoods,” Alderman Reilly said in a statement. “The brave women and men who serve in the Chicago Police Department are working hard to protect our communities. Like all downtown residents, I am grateful for their service and hard work. But we need a greater presence overnight.”
He said five hooded and masked gunmen got out of a gray Honda Accord, all armed, and fired at the 30-year-old man, whom Reilly said had an extensive criminal background. He said the attackers fled in the same vehicle, which was later found burned.
Kiley Cleckner lives in an apartment at the hotel.
“This is the most insane thing I’ve seen this far,” she said.
Cleckner recalled being jolted awake by what she initially believed were fireworks.
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“There were enough going off that by the time I got to my window with my camera they were still shooting,” she said.
Cleckner said she saw at least three men get back into a car that sped west on Grand Avenue.
There were over 100 gunshots. Chicago police counted at least 110 shell casings from the deadly shooting.
Video of the scene showed bullet holes in the hotel’s window and facade.
Hotel guest Cindy Monroe said she saw someone being put in an ambulance from her hotel room window.
“Just sad again, just that the human, you know, people’s lives were taken,” Monroe said.
“I was all shocked,” said Harris Carr, who also lives in the building. “I just moved out here in February; so I heard about the violence and all that, but didn’t have an experience it yet. I don’t know what you could possibly do with the 100 shots; that’s a little nuts.”
Although analysis from the ABC7 Chicago data team shows violent crime in River North is down more than 18 percent in the past year, Cleckner said empty storefronts in the neighborhood create blind spots where crime can occur.
“It’s obviously identified by these groups of people that they can out hang there and do crazy things and not get caught,” she said.
Reilly said he has spoken with Chicago police and requested increased late-night patrols downtown during the summer months and ahead of the July 4 weekend.
Area Three detectives are investigating. Roads in the busy area were closed Wednesday.
Police said no arrests have been made.
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