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Man Commits Suicide After Shooting Killing Woman In Downtown Chicago Nordstrom [UPDATE]

By Jon Graef in News on Nov 29, 2014 3:30PM

2014_11_29_Nordstrom.pngScreengrab via Craig Newman

Update, 4:36 p.m.: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the woman has died, according to family members. The family of the deceased says that the shooter, 31-year-old Marcus Dee, had been tormenting her for months. A surprise birthday party had been planned for the woman, who was killed on her 22nd birthday.

On Friday night, a man shot a woman, then himself, at a Nordstrom located on Chicago's Magnificent Mile shopping district. The man's wounds were fatal and self-inflicted in what was an apparent murder-suicide attempt.

The ages and identities of the people shot have yet to be released; however, Chicago Police Department Chief of Detectives John Escalante told the Chicago Tribune that the woman was a seasonal employee of the store.

Escalante also said the woman, who worked on the second floor of the Nordstrom's department store, was shot by a "current or ex-boyfriend," who subsequently committed suicide after shooting her.

The shooting took place Friday night at 8:30 p.m., a half-hour before the store was supposed to close. The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she is in critical condition.

The Sun-Times' Reema Amin broke news about the Nordstrom shooting, which was later confirmed by the paper's Becky Schlikerman, and NBC 5's Rob Elgas.

Eyewitnesses told the Sun-Times that people were "screaming" and were "running in what seemed like a 'stampede.'" Despite the chaotic scene, no other injuries were reported.

CBS 2 reported that Nordstrom made a statement saying the store "will remain closed until further notice."

“We are actively working with the Chicago Police Department, as this is an open and ongoing investigation,” the statement said in part. “Our prayers are with our employee who was involved and those who witnessed this tragic event.”