Two people, including a pedestrian, were shot in the Loop on Saturday morning as spectators flooded the area to watch the annual dyeing of the Chicago River for the city’s St. Patrick’s celebration.
Around 8:51 a.m., witnesses saw a fight between the people in two cars near the 100 block of North Dearborn.
One person involved in the confrontation pulled out a baseball bat and hit the other vehicle. An occupant of that second vehicle then opened fire, witnesses said, striking a man who was walking outside the Goodman Theatre, 180 North Dearborn.
Two cars sped away from the scene.
Officers who responded to calls of gunfire reported that the victim, a 58-year-old information technology professional, with a graze wound on his arm. He is at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition.
A short time later, a 35-year-old man walked into Northwestern with a gunshot wound to his leg.
CPD said he was also shot during the Loop incident. Officers at the hospital found a black Nissan Altima with bullet hole damage parked nearby, bearing the same license plate as one of the vehicles that sped from the scene, according to an officer.
As of 10:30 a.m., Dearborn Street remained closed to traffic while police conducted their investigation.
Please support CWBChicago’s reporting efforts with a contribution or subscription.