Suspect in Lakeview shooting caught on surveillance video

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Surveillance video from a gas station in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood shows the person suspected of shooting a 27-year-old man running from the scene. Seen from the back, a light-colored floppy hat is the suspect's only distinctive piece of clothing.

Police said the victim was shot in the neck in an alley behind the BP gas station at West Belmont and North Racine avenues around 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Witnesses said they heard gunfire, found the victim bleeding on the ground and saw the suspect run away. They said he was wearing a floppy hat, like the one seen in the video.

"I saw police cars all over the place. Came down and saw the yellow tape," said Erik Enstad, who lives nearby. "When they're shooting bullets, there's enough houses around here that somebody could be sitting there and they get hit. That's what you've really got to worry about."

The victim was transported in critical condition to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he recovered Tuesday.

Detectives were back at the scene on Tuesday, reviewing that security camera and looking for witnesses.

Residents say they're concerned that despite an uptick in crime recently, there are fewer officers patrolling the streets.

"Quite frankly it's given me chills and freaking me out a bit, because it's a good neighborhood," said Judy Vhrinmojzik, who lives in the neighborhood.

"There has been a trend of issues. There was a shooting last year right by Oakdale and Sheffield, at like 2 or 3 in the morning for someone's cell phone. But we've noticed recently, more robberies - armed robberies - within the neighborhood," said Barb Bach, a Lakeview resident.

"It's kind of scary. I know this neighborhood's been having problems anyways too, with crime. Makes me want to move out of out here even quicker," said Andrew Kucala, who lives in the area.

Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive for the shooting, but said it does not appear to be a random act. The victim has prior arrest records, police said.