CHICAGO, IL – A shooting happened late on Tuesday at Thorntons Fuel Station in the Brighton Park area of Chicago’s Southwest Side. Three individuals, including two employees of the station, were caught up in the violent event.
The Chicago Police Department reported that a 25-year-old man was being chased by a group of four male assailants. During the chase, two of the group started firing at the man. In an attempt to escape, he ran into the Thorntons Fuel Station located on the 3400 block of South California Avenue. One among the attackers pursued him inside, continued firing, and then absconded from the site.
The pursued man suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to his stomach and legs. First responders from the Chicago Fire Department arrived at the scene and rendered immediate care before transferring him to a local hospital. He is currently listed in critical condition.
In the course of the gunfire, two employees at the gas station were shot. A 26-year-old male employee who was shot in the mouth and another 25-year-old male employee who was shot in the back were both attended to by the Chicago Fire Department. The former is in critical condition, while the latter is reportedly in good condition. Both victims have been admitted to local hospitals.
Witness Alfredo Lopez recounted the terrifying event of being at the gas station during the shooting. According to him, the onslaught of bullets abruptly started, causing the glass to shatter and forcing him to escape through the back doors of the station.
The police have not made any arrests in the case so far, and detectives from Area One continue their investigations. The Thorntons Fuel Station remained cordoned off for further investigation as of Wednesday morning.