A person of interest has been taken into custody in connection to a fatal shooting Tuesday afternoon at Navy Pier that killed two men and led to a lockdown of one of the city’s most beloved tourist attractions.
A police spokesperson announced the arrest Thursday afternoon, days after a “disgruntled” ex-employee shot and killed the two victims in a targeted attack. The gunman’s identity was known to police, who said he is a former employee of a subcontractor at the pier who was fired Oct. 14.
The investigation is ongoing, the police spokesperson said. Earlier Thursday, police released surveillance photographs that allegedly showed the suspect.
About 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, paramedics were called to a loading dock area of the pier, at 600 E. Grand Ave., where they found the bodies of Lamont Johnson, 51 and of suburban Lansing, and Peter Jennings, 47 and of the North Park neighborhood, lying on the ground surrounded by bullet casings. Both victims worked for Chicago-based hospitality company Levy.
Jennings and Johnson both died of gunshot wounds to their heads, autopsies by the Cook County medical examiner’s office concluded.
The attack prompted a lockdown of the pier and left patrons scrambling for cover in washrooms, back rooms and cars.
Police Thursday described the gunman as having brown hair and eyes, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing about 230 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area 3 detectives at 312-744-8261.