Crime & Law
CPS Headquarters Placed Under Temporary Lockdown After Nearby Shooting
(WTTW / Michael Izquierdo)
Chicago Public Schools’ Loop headquarters was placed under a temporary lockdown Wednesday morning following a shooting and attempted robbery nearby.
According to the Chicago Police Department, a security guard was exiting a business in the first block of South State Street around 11:20 a.m. when they were approached by a person who attempted to forcefully take property.
After a struggle between them, the security guard produced a firearm and fired shots, striking the other person, police said. That person then allegedly fled the scene with the proceeds from the robbery, but was taken into custody a short time later.
That person was hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds to his body, police said. No other injuries were reported, and criminal charges are pending.
During the Board of Education’s monthly agenda review committee meeting, board secretary Susan Narrajos informed attendees that the 42 W. Madison St. building had been placed under a “hard” lockdown due to the shooting, though the meeting continued as normal.
Narrajos later said the building had been moved to a “soft” lockdown shortly after 11:30 a.m. as police officers had arrived outside, but no one was allowed to enter or leave the premises. The lockdown was lifted just before noon.
A CPS spokesperson said the building’s entrances at 42 W. Madison St. and 1 N. Dearborn St. were both temporarily closed due to an “active crime scene” in the area. District employees were allowed to exit through an alley dock door the entire time.
“The CPS Office of Safety and Security is working closely with the CPD to ensure everyone’s safety,” the district said in an email to staff.
The CTA also announced buses and Blue Line trains would be bypassing the area due to police activity.
