Man opens fire at warehouse
Seven dead, including gunmanAugust 27, 2003 — A disgruntled worker opened fire at a South Side warehouse. Seven people-- including the suspect-- were killed.
At 8:45 a.m., the suspect, identified as a 36-year-old man, walked into Windy City Core Supply, a company that rebuilds auto parts and redistributes them, and opened fire. Police believe the disgruntled employee was either about to be fired or had recently been let go. The suspect was leaving the scene at 3912 S. Wallace when police arrived. He exchanged fire with the officers and went back inside, leading to a hostage situation.
"Again, I am assuming police responded to shots fired at 3912 Wallace. There was an exchange of gunfire on the street between the police and the armed offender," said Chicago Police Department spokesman Pat Camden said.
Police were unable to contact the suspect by phone, but officers were able to push their way inside, where more gunfire was reported around 10 a.m. Seven people-- including the gunman-- were killed. It is not clear if the suspect's wounds were self-inflicted of from the police shootout.
The suspect died at Cook County Hospital. Officers road in the ambulance from the scene as paramedics performed CPR.
"As in all trauma cases, they move right into action doing what they can to save the victims, whomever it is," said Don Rashid, Cook Co. Hospital.
Two victims also died at the hospital. The Cook County medical examiner confirms four others were found dead inside the building.
Frederick Bishop's aunt works inside the building where the shooting occurred. He spoke with her during the incident.
"She told me in there they got a man down and some wild man went berserk shooting people and over a work thing. And she's in there," said Bishop. "She is nervous. She said she was scared and fear for her life because people still laying down."
Bishop's cell phone cut out after that conversation and he has not heard from her since.
Neighborhood evacuated
Officials closed down 39th, Union, Lowe, and Wallace streets in the Bridgeport and Canaryville area. Several buildings in the industrial area were also evacuated.
"After the SWAT team got here and took their positions, they ordered us to evacuate because we are in the line of fire and the high power rifles," said Jim Marozas, manager Lee Lumber.
"I didn't know what was going on until I put on the TV and watched the news. People kept saying there was a shooter running around, but on television, they explained it was on 39th and Wallace," said Celine Flynn, neighbor.
Businesses remain closed in the area.