Chicago O’Hare Airport shooting leaves 1 injured after fight erupts inside terminal

Early Wednesday morning, an alarming incident unfolded at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, disrupting the usual bustle of Terminal 2. At approximately 1 a.m., a fight broke out inside the terminal, quickly escalating into a shooting outside. The situation was captured by Fox32Chicago, which showed a bullet hole in one of the terminal’s windows, a stark visual reminder of the violence. An airport worker, identified as Mahmoud, recounted the events to the Chicago Sun-Times, describing how the altercation began as a regular fight before one of the individuals retrieved a gun from a car and began shooting. His eyewitness account provided a chilling narrative of the sequence of events.

The shooting left a 25-year-old man with two gunshot wounds to the lower body, who is now in stable condition at a local hospital, as reported by Fox32Chicago, citing police sources. Authorities are also questioning another man in connection with the incident, though further details about his involvement remain unclear. This information, sourced from both the Chicago Sun-Times and Fox32Chicago, highlights the severity of the incident and the ongoing investigation.

By 5:15 a.m., the Chicago Department of Aviation announced that all lower-level arrival lanes across the airport’s terminals had resumed normal operations. This update, shared with Fox News Digital, indicated that despite the initial disruption, the airport quickly returned to functioning as usual. The incident serves as a reminder of how swiftly such events can impact and then return to normalcy in a bustling environment like O’Hare.

Terminal 2, where the incident occurred, is utilized by several airlines, including Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines. While the situation did not lead to prolonged disruptions, it underscores the potential impact on travelers using these airlines. However, specific details about the altercation, including the number of individuals involved and the precipitating factors, remain unclear. The ongoing investigation aims to shed light on these aspects.

Retired police officer James Van Schaick provided a vivid account from his hotel room across from the terminal. He described hearing what sounded like automatic gunfire and observing people scattering in all directions. His testimony, shared with CapturedNews, adds a layer of witness perspective, illustrating the chaos and panic that ensued during the shooting. Additionally, law enforcement sources mentioned the recovery of several rifle rounds from the scene, indicating the type of weapon used and the evidence collected to aid in the investigation.

The recovery of rifle rounds and the ongoing questioning of the individual suggest that authorities are meticulously piecing together the events. As the investigation continues, more details may emerge about the cause of the altercation and the exact sequence of events. For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and normal functioning of the airport while unraveling the circumstances surrounding this troubling incident.