At least eighteen people were injured in a series of events following the Fourth of July fireworks show at Navy Pier last night, police said.
First video I’ve seen of people running to get out of Navy Pier as “chaos” erupted following tonight’s #FourthofJuly fireworks. Initial, fluid reports: 3 or 4 stabbed; one shot; 12+ injured in “stampede” #ChicagoScanner #Chicago pic.twitter.com/0lCyvQfKwk— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) July 5, 2019
Fourteen people were injured as a large group of attendees began running from the pier when someone threw firecrackers, sparking rumors of an active shooter after the annual pyrotechnic display at 600 East Grand. Witnesses reported seeing people trampled by a panicked crowd that was running to get out of the area shortly after 10 p.m.
None of the “stampede” injuries were considered life-threatening, a police spokesman said.
Video of first responders treating the injured was posted to Twitter by @sevenaceg while the false rumors of a shooting were still being spread:
— 7 Ace G (@sevenaceg) July 5, 2019
Two teenagers were stabbed in a fight that began after gang signs were exchanged between men outside the pier around the same time, police said. A 15-year-old stabbed in the armpit and a 14-year-old stabbed in the arm and rib were transported to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital where their conditions stabilized, police said. Neither teen was being cooperative with police.
A 30-year-old man was stabbed in the face and arm in a separate incident, police said. He told police that he could not remember any details of the stabbing and said he did not see the person who stabbed him. Police said the man was being treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
More video from Navy Pier. Large EMS response for multiple persons stabbed, others injured in “stampede” following #FourthofJuly fireworks. #ChicagoScanner #Chicago pic.twitter.com/EiZdblY98I— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) July 5, 2019
An initial fire department report of a person shot at the pier was later revised after investigators determined that a 16-year-old boy had actually suffered a puncture wound in his leg after he ran into a table at the pier. His condition was also stabilized at Northwestern, according to police.
No one is in custody for any of the incidents.
In all, police said 31 juveniles and five adults were arrested in connection with the Navy Pier fireworks display.
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