Four people are dead after a mass shooting on a Blue Line train in Forest Park Monday morning.
Authorities said three people were found dead at the scene. A fourth victim was pronounced dead later at a nearby hospital, according to CBS News Chicago.
A suspect is in custody, the news station reported. Forest Park police and CTA security found the shooter on the Pink Line by using surveillance cameras. Robbery may have been a motive.
Authorities said that the Labor Day holiday shooting was an isolated incident and that the public is not in danger.
“Our public safety leaders believe that Forest Park is safe and that residents can and should enjoy the balance of the holiday weekend,” Mayor Rory Hoskins told Forest Park Review. “It was a brutal incident, but police are confident that the shooter is in custody.”
“We may or may not want to explore whether Forest Park, through Westcom, will someday have access to CTA’s surveillance system,” Hoskins added.
“I’ve heard from the Lt. Governor today and from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. The latter is offering potential support through their Office of Handgun Violence Prevention.”
The victims’ identities were not released by 12:45 p.m. Monday. CBS reported police said they may have been unhoused people.
A local news conference calling for a beat cop on trains and surveillance cameras nearby was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Organizers said they would offer a monetary reward for the person or people responsible.
The CTA issued a statement about the shooting:
CTA issued the following statement:
“Although this was an isolated incident, this heinous and egregious act of violence should never have occurred, none the less on a public transit train.
“As soon as this matter was reported, CTA immediately deployed resources to assist the Forest Park Police in their investigation into the matter, including review of all possible security camera footage, which proved to be vital in aiding local enforcement.
“We commend both the Forest Park Police Department for their thorough and collaborative efforts to provide information to partner agencies; as well as the Chicago Police Department whose quick actions led to the apprehension of a suspect in this matter.
“CTA will continue to work with local law enforcement as part of this ongoing investigation.”
Blue Line service is temporarily suspended between Austin and Forest Park. Shuttles are available.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more.
Update, 1:17 p.m.: The article was updated with comment from Mayor Rory Hoskins.
