1 dead, 1 wounded in shooting near Pink Line station

Michelle Gallardo Image
Monday, October 3, 2016
Man killed at Pink Line CTA station
Chicago police are investigating a fatal shooting at the CTA Pink Line's California station.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 20-year-old man was killed and another man critically wounded Sunday morning in a shooting near the CTA Pink Line's California station in the Little Village neighborhood, Chicago police said.

Police said the men were shot in the 2000-block of South California after a fight outside the Pink Line station at 7:38 a.m. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 24-year-old man who was wounded in the butt and arm was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition, Chicago fire officials said.

Police initially responded to calls of a fight, but when they arrived they found two young men had been shot. The 20-year-old victim was shot in the neck, but managed to run across the street to the CTA's Pink Line station for help.

"He collapsed by the turnstiles. He was asking them for help to get the paramedics. And that's what they did. By the time they turned around and come back he had succumbed to his injuries," said crisis responder and activist Andrew Holmes.

Holmes said the man who died was well-known to CTA employees, who recognized him from his daily commute to and from work.

Investigators are looking for two men they believe are responsible for the shooting.

A motive is unknown, but police said the victims are not gang members.

"I heard six shots. I was laying down and I got up and it was scary. I saw him on the floor and stuff," Rosalinda Guzman said. "I live next door and it's scary. My son was going to go to work earlier and thank god he didn't, he could have got caught in the crossfire."

Pedestrians were not allowed into the stations and CTA trains bypassed the California stop as police investigated. Normal service was restored at the station by 1 p.m.