Hospital: Man Who Shot Coworkers Is Dead
POSTED: 9:45 a.m. CDT August 27, 2003
UPDATED: 11:12 a.m. CDT August 27, 2003CHICAGO -- Cook County hospital officials said the suspected gunman who shot five coworkers has died after being arrested and taken from the site of 3912 S. Wallace St., near 39th and Halsted. The facility was identified as Windy City Core Supply Inc. and is located next to Lee Lumber.
Police said the man shot five people. NBC5's Charlie Wojciechowski reported at 10:10 a.m. that the suspected gunman himself was injured and had been taken into custody. It was not clear if the man shot himself or was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with police, but he was led from the building in handcuffs. Hospital officials said shortly after 11 a.m. that the suspect had died.
At least two injured victims were taken from the scene, leaving three victims unaccounted for. At least one of those people was confirmed dead, and an employee at the Cook County medical examiner's office said there were "multiple deaths involved."
Wojciechowski reported that the incident started when police pulled over a tractor-trailer. The driver exchanged gunfire with police, authorities said, and then ran into the building, where he worked. Police said the man continued shooting inside.
Police were able to enter the building shortly before 10 a.m.
NBC5's Dick Johnson said there were unconfirmed reports that the suspected gunman may have been facing termination at the workplace.
At 11 a.m., police were still combing the building, reportedly looking for potential victims. NBC5's Phil Rogers reports that a woman may have been held hostage inside the building before the gunman was wounded.
Might as well laugh-- crying doesn't seem to do any good.
"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die."
- Mel Brooks
Lighten up, Francis.