CHICAGO, IL — A chaotic and heartbreaking scene unfolded Tuesday evening at the Walmart located near 95th and Western Avenue, after a police chase ended with a deadly shooting inside the crowded store.
According to preliminary reports, the incident began when police were pursuing a suspect in connection with an earlier crime. The chase came to a dramatic end when the suspect abruptly stopped his vehicle, jumped out, and ran into the Walmart in an attempt to flee.
Witnesses inside the store described a terrifying scene of panic and confusion as shoppers scrambled for safety. Moments after entering, the suspect reportedly opened fire, striking a security guard and a woman inside the store.
Officers quickly followed the suspect into the building, confronting him near the back of the store. Law enforcement officials say the suspect refused to surrender and continued to pose an active threat, prompting officers to discharge their weapons. The suspect was struck and pronounced dead at the scene.
The security guard and female victim were both transported to nearby hospitals. Their conditions have not yet been confirmed, but witnesses say the security guard appeared to have been critically injured while trying to protect others.
“It was chaos,” one witness said. “People were running, screaming, dropping shopping carts — it was terrifying. The security guard tried to stop him before he fired. He was a hero.”
Police have secured the area and are working to process the massive crime scene, which remains under investigation by multiple agencies, including the Chicago Police Department and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA).
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together the full timeline of events leading up to the shooting.
The Walmart store has been temporarily closed while investigators continue their work. Community members have gathered outside, many offering prayers and condolences for the victims and their families.
This tragic event serves as another reminder of the unpredictable violence that can erupt in moments, leaving innocent lives shattered.
Anyone with video footage or additional information is urged to contact Chicago Police detectives or submit an anonymous tip via CPDtip.com.
