Chicago police said someone fired shots at them as they were driving in the 200-block of W. 87th Street around 5:10 p.m.
Two 22-year-old men were shot, and, in a scramble to escape, their black SUV tore through the back lot of the Home Depot, only to realize they were plowing through a lumber yard.
Tire tracks show the SUV skidded through the snow into an embankment, crashing in the 8700-block of S. Princeton, police said.
"The dude was up by the front cash register and they were trying to walk him outside," said Abraham Nicol, a Home Depot employee. "He was bleeding from the abdomen."
One of the men was shot in the right arm and right flank and was rushed to University of Chicago Hospital in critical condition, police said. The second victim was shot in the right hand. He is in good condition at University of Chicago Hospital.
Employees said the store was full of unsuspecting customers when the victim ran through, desperate for help.
"I was scared too, because you never know when those shootings happen, there might be another retaliation," Nicol said.
Chicago police said the victims went into the store for help, but confirmed the shooting did not take place inside.
Area Two detectives are investigating. No one is in custody.
The store cleared out and closed early. It will reopen for normal hours Friday.