The Shrine closed permanently after 2 people shot outside nightclub, alderman says

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Saturday, February 20, 2016
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CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two people were injured - one critically - in a shooting outside a South Loop nightclub, police said. Third Ward Ald. Pat Dowell said The Shrine is now closed permanently as a result of the shooting.

Several people got into a fight inside The Shrine near 21st and Wabash around 2 a.m. Saturday, police said. Security escorted them out, but one man returned with a gun and allegedly opened fire from inside a car, police said.

One woman was shot in the head and a man was shot in the leg. The woman remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Police are still searching for the shooter.

Earlier this week, Ald. Dowell said the nightclub announced it would close at the end of the month so that the building could be redeveloped into a hotel and apartment tower. However, The Shrine has now "immediately and indefinitely" ceased operations, Dowell said.

Dowell also said that she had been working with the city to revoke the nightclub's 4 a.m. liquor license, but that action was fought by Shrine management.