Shooting at Bronzeville Jewel-Osco: Security guard seriously hurt, two robbers at large

A robbery at a Chicago grocery store ended in gunfire Tuesday, wounding a security guard and two bystanders. Two suspects fled and remain at large.

Three shot during robbery at Bronzeville Jewel-Osco, shoppers hide in freezer

A security guard was left in serious condition and two women were wounded after robbers opened fire inside a Jewel-Osco grocery store in Chicago's Bronzeville neighbourhood on Tuesday morning, chicago.suntimes.com reports.

The attack began at approximately 11 a.m. at the store located at 443 E. 34th St. Two individuals entered the shop and took three bouquets of flowers and a greeting card from display, police said. When the pair attempted to leave, a 46-year-old male security guard intervened. One of the robbers fired a weapon in his direction, striking the guard and two other people nearby.

The security guard suffered gunshot wounds to his body and was transported to University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition. A 29-year-old woman was shot in her left foot and listed in stable condition. A 67-year-old woman was grazed in her left foot and declined hospital treatment, police said.

Two additional adults who fell during the chaos were also taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, both in good condition, Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Merritt confirmed.

As events unfolded, a police officer relayed the situation to a dispatcher over radio. "We got two people shot and a female that's grazed in the left foot," the officer said. The dispatcher confirmed that at least one person had fallen down the stairs and that there were "people hiding in the freezer inside the store." At least one Jewel employee was among those who fell.

Customers fled the store seeking safety after the gunfire erupted. Two individuals ran into a nearby business, City Fashions, according to store manager C.C. Coats, 62, who has managed the fashion store for 14 years. Others returned to their vehicles and drove away.

"Some were running, trying to hide," Coats said. He described the strip mall off Martin Luther King Drive as generally a peaceful area. "But some bad apples come here," he added.

Around 20 police squad cars, five ambulances and helicopters arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting.

The shooter fled into a building in the 3300 block of South Rhodes Avenue following the attack, which may have begun with an argument inside the store, according to a dispatcher. A cashier witnessed the incident, a police officer noted.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, police had reported no arrests. Both suspects remain at large.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)