A violent confrontation on a CTA Pink Line train left one man dead and another wounded early Tuesday morning in the Loop.
According to Chicago Police, the incident began around 1:22 a.m. in the 100-block of North Wells Street.
Two men, aged 23 and 44, became involved in a heated argument with a suspect who was initially armed with a knife.
The argument turned physical, prompting one of the victims to pull out a handgun.
However, the suspect managed to wrestle the firearm away from the victim. The suspect then opened fire, striking both men.
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The 44-year-old victim was shot in the abdomen. He was rushed to Northwestern Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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The 23-year-old victim suffered a gunshot wound to the wrist. He is currently in fair condition at Northwestern Hospital.
The shooter fled the scene immediately after the incident.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no one is in custody.
Area Three detectives are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the train and station.
The shooting caused significant travel delays, halting Loop train service until approximately 5:30 a.m.
This deadly attack comes just two days before Christmas and adds to a string of recent violent incidents on Chicago’s transit system.
While CPD data suggests overall violent crime on the CTA is down 2.3% this year, shootings are on the rise.
Including this morning’s attack, at least 13 shootings have occurred on the CTA this year, up from eight in 2024.
The incident also highlights a growing rift between local and federal officials.
Last week, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rejected the city’s “Security Surge Plan,” claiming the proposal for more private security and voluntary police patrols does not go far enough to protect riders.
Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the violence on Tuesday, stating that his administration is working with state officials to secure more funding for transit resources.
