Breaking: Shots Fired at Ogilvie Transportation Center
By Rachelle Bowden in News on Dec 9, 2006 2:51AM
Ogilvie Transportation Center is being evacuated as we speak. At around 3:15, at least one person was shot. NBC 5 says that it could be a possible hostage situation. Traffic outside the Chicagoist office, which is across the street, is being rerouted as well. All we can hear is sirens.
Update - 4:02 p.m.:The DHL guy just came into the Chicagoist office. He was on the 36th floor at Ogilvie when the incident occurred. He said he heard the shots fired. He said he heard 2 shots, 2 people dead. And one taken hostage. And he got the fuck out! He said it occurred at a law firm — Quarles & Brady.
Update from Metra in regard to how you may or may not be getting home tonight: METRA/UNION PACIFIC NORTH, NORTHWEST AND WEST LINE TRAIN DELAYS
Update - 4:17 p.m. from Metra: ALL TRAIN SERVICE FOR METRA/UNION PACIFIC NORTH, NORTHWEST AND WEST LINE TRAINS TRAVELING OUTBOUND TO KENOSHA, HARVARD, MCHENRY AND ELBURN AND INBOUND TRAINS TRAVELING TO CHICAGO OGILVIE TRANSPORTATION CENTER ARE CURRENTLY HALTED DUE TO POLICE ACTIVITY AT THE DOWNTOWN STATION. TRAINS WILL BE DELAYED FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. WE ARE ASKING PASSENGERS TO SEEK ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION THIS EVENING.
THE CTA WILL HONOR METRA TICKETS FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELING WEST ON THE GREEN LINE.
THE CTA WILL HONOR METRA TICKETS FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELING NORTHWEST ON THE BLUE LINE.
THE CTA WILL HONOR METRA TICKETS FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELING NORTH ON THE RED AND PURPLE LINES.
Update - 4:20 p.m.: Our building manager just came in and told us the Chicagoist offices have been locked up. We can get out, but no one can get in. Is this happening at other offices nearby?
Update - 4:24 p.m.: The Tribune is reporting two people were taken out on stretchers and that Metra employees are in lock down in their respective areas, while NBC 5 is saying "at least three people were shot." The shooter is currently still at large.
Update - 4:32 p.m.: NBC 5 is reporting that the gunman is in custody and may have been taken away in an ambulance. Four people are in critical condition, and one is in good condition with a gunshot wound to the foot. One of the people in critical condition is believed to be the gunman.
Update - 4:38 p.m.: The area around Madison and Canal is still blocked off, Ogilvie is still closed, and people are still in lock-down in the building. Metra commuters who leave via Ogilvie are advised to find alternate transportation home. The CTA is saying “due to police activity at 500 W. Madison, westbound #14, #20, #56, #60, #124, #127, #129, and #157 buses are being rerouted via Madison, Franklin, Randolph and Clinton back to Madison for the regular routing. The CTA is currently honoring Metra passes on all of its buses and rail lines.”
Update - 4:45 p.m.: Chicagoist's brother works in that building, and he says that they just announced over the building's PA system that the building was secure, and to stay put for evacutation instructions.
Update - 4:49 p.m: If the shooting did take place on the 38th floor as is being reported (though other reports said the gunman did access the 37th floor, the law firm located there is Wood, Phillips, Katz, Clark & Mortimer.
Additional updates from Metra: MILWAUKEE WEST LINE TRAIN #2239, SCHEDULED TO DEPART CHICAGO UNION STATION AT 5:23 P.M. AND SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE BIG TIMBER AT 6:43 P.M., HAS BEEN CANCELLED. MILWAUKEE WEST LINE TRAIN #2237, SCHEDULED TO DEPART CHICAGO UNION STATION AT 5:17 P.M. AND SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE BIG TIMBER AT 6:29 P.M., WILL MAKE ADDITIONAL STOPS FROM BENSENVILLE TO ROSELLE TO ACCOMMODATE PASSENGERS.
Update - 4:51 p.m: Police Supt. Phil Cline is going to be doing a press conference soon. NBC 5 is saying that one person is confirmed dead in the building, in addition to the four previously reported victims.
Update - 5:06 p.m.: Supt. Phil Cline says the gunman was armed with a gun, knife and hammer. Chicago Police Department and SWAT responded. The gunman was holding a hostage, and SWAT shot the gunman, who may have shot himself before he died. An autopsy will confirm this. Four victims confirmed and taken to area hospitals.
Station has re-opened, and trains are going to start running again soon. Trains on the platform will be emptied first, then loaded with passengers for departure, and all trains will be making all stops (no express service).
Update - 5:10 p.m.: Another update from Metra: METRA/UNION PACIFIC NORTH, NORTHWEST AND WEST LINE TRAINS ARE STARTING TO BOARD IN THE STATION. THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO OGILVIE TRANSPORTATION CENTER LOCATED AT 500 WEST MADISON STREET, HAS NOT BEEN OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AT THIS TIME.
Update - 5:13 p.m.: The front entrance of Ogilvie is now open to the public.
Update - 5:26 p.m.: NBC 5 says Clinton is open to vehicular traffic again, though Madison is still shut down. CTA says buses in the area are still being re-routed. Metra is going to be very, very delayed. All lines will be making all stops, no express. Again, CTA will be accepting Metra passes for those who are seeking alternative transportation home this evening. Everybody try to be patient on the way home, and give up your seat for old and/or pregnant ladies.
Image via Rex Arbogast/AP.