2 Navy Pier workers shot and killed; former employee believed responsible, police say

CHICAGO — Two men were fatally shot Tuesday afternoon at Navy Pier by a gunman who authorities believe was a recently terminated worker.

Speaking with reporters at the pier, Chicago police Chief of Patrol John Hein stressed that authorities did not believe the suspect posed a danger to the public, though the shooter remained at large, as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“This was an isolated incident with a disgruntled ex-employee,” Hein said.

The gunman, thought to have been terminated Oct. 14, had sought out two employees around 1:20 p.m. in a loading dock and nearby administrative office at the far end of the pier and fired multiple shots.

The two men were taken to Northwestern Hospital, where they died. Their identities weren’t immediately released.

Hein offered few details about the investigation into the slayings, saying only that authorities were “actively seeking” a person of interest.

Navy Pier’s Chief Operations Officer Brian Murphy said the facility went on lockdown and notified all tenants of the building of the shooting.

“Once we were able to determine that the offender had left the property, we were able to open back up,” he said.

Hours after the shooting, red crime scene tape blocked the entry to the loading dock at the far end of the pier and one officer advised another “be careful of that blood” as she left the entryway.

Cars exited the parking lots alongside the north end of the pier as construction workers were milling around a crane at the pier’s far end. A commander directed the news media to move away from the crime scene.

People were coming and going from the pier’s main hall even as police still clustered at the entrance.

Navy Pier is considered one of the city’s main tourist attractions downtown, drawing nearly 9 million visitors annually, according to the venue’s website.

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