A man was arrested after gunfire rang out before dawn outside Chicago’s Kluczynski Federal Building, and no one was hurt.
Story Highlights
- Chicago police say officers saw a man firing a gun outside the federal building and took him into custody at the scene.
- A federal security guard reported an active shooter on federal property, setting off a fast response.
- Dispatch audio pointed to about 15 shell casings found on the street.
- No one was struck; officials reported only minor damage. Charges are pending, and police have not released a motive.
What Happened Outside the Federal Building
Chicago police said officers saw a man outdoors firing a gun near the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building in the Loop, the city’s downtown business district. Officers found him at the scene, took him into custody and recovered one gun. Police have not released his name, the charges or why he opened fire. The Department of Homeland Security said a security officer with the Federal Protective Service, the agency that guards federal buildings, reported an active shooter on federal property.
The Kluczynski building houses offices for several federal agencies. It sits on Federal Plaza, across Dearborn Street from the Dirksen Federal Courthouse. Evidence markers for shell casings lined the street as investigators worked the scene, and dispatch audio indicated about 15 casings. No one was struck by gunfire, and no injuries were reported.
Timeline, Location and Law Enforcement Response
Police said the shots rang out at about 4:27 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, in the 200 block of South Dearborn Street. Homeland Security officers and Chicago police were out in force along Clark Street, at the western edge of Federal Plaza, in the hours before sunrise. A nearby building in the 200 block of South Clark Street was damaged.
Homeland Security said, “There were no injuries reported, only minor damage to federal property.” The department added, “As this is an active and ongoing investigation, additional information will be limited until concluded.” Federal Protective Service officers and Chicago police secured the area together, and Chicago police made the arrest.
What Officials Have Confirmed and What Comes Next
Officials have confirmed one arrest, one gun recovered, no injuries and minor damage. Charges are pending, and detectives from the police department’s Area Three unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released a motive or said whether the man was aiming at the federal building or anyone in it. As of Tuesday, October 20, police had not announced charges.
The term “active shooter” in the first alert is a label law enforcement uses for someone actively trying to kill or hurt people in a populated area. It tells every nearby officer to move in fast. In this case, officers had the man in custody at the scene.
Sources:
cbsnews.com, washingtontimes.com, kmbc.com, fox32chicago.com, chicagotribune.com