A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday morning at a Mariano’s store in Evergreen Park, a south suburban area, as an employee was shot and killed by her boyfriend. The shooting occurred around 9:12 a.m., prompting chaos and panic among customers. The suspect, who was captured shortly after the incident, is now in police custody. Authorities believe the shooting is related to a domestic situation and have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as customers ran out of the store in a state of panic. Dorian Johnson, who had just arrived at the parking lot, witnessed the commotion. He shared that people were fantic in the parking lot, and that he was stopped by another woman who walked into the store during the incident.
According to the police, surveillance footage from inside the store revealed that the suspect followed a 21-year-old woman into the back storage room before shooting her. Fortunately, no other customers were injured during the incident. The suspect fled from the scene of the crime in his vehicle, but law enforcement swiftly tracked him down within an hour.
Evergreen Park Police Chief Michael Saunders disclosed that the victim had previously worked at an Amazon store in Oak Lawn. She had left that job due to an incident involving the suspect and had recently started working at Mariano’s. Chief Saunders commended the Chicago police for their swift response and ability to arrest the suspect within an hour.
Authorities have confirmed that the shooting is believed to be connected to a domestic situation, emphasizing that there is no ongoing threat to the public. As the investigation continues, the Mariano’s store and surrounding establishments have been temporarily closed.