Blue Line service resumes after gunfire on Loop platform

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Blue Line trains have resumed normal service and a suspect is in custody after shots were fired on a Loop CTA station platform Thursday.

The train was coming into the station under Congress Parkway when several gunshots hit the northbound train from the LaSalle Station platform around 11:20 a.m.

Police swarmed the area moments after reports of shots fired at the station. Many passengers on the train heard the shots as they hit the train, but said it was difficult to determine where they came from in the subway.

"I knew what it was but we were just trying to see where it was coming from," said Venesia Parker, a passenger. "We're just trying to make sure that whoever did the shooting was out of the area."

Within minutes, heavily-armed officers found the suspect and quickly surrounded him about five blocks away. They recovered his weapon, a .45 caliber assault rifle, sources say. Police also recovered some 50 rounds of ammunition in his pocket.

Will Gerlach heard all the commotion and snapped pictures of police from his apartment nearby.

"They had assault rifles in-hand, it was like what you see on the news," Gerlach said.

The alleged rifle seized by police after a shooting occurred in the Blue Line's LaSalle station Thursday. Courtesy Will Gerlach

Witnesses say the suspect put up no struggle when police arrested him. He said nothing and gave no indication of what he was allegedly firing at or why. No one was hurt, but given the fire power he was carrying, authorities say this could have been more serious.

Chicago police Supt. Garry McCarthy said he believes the gun used in this incident was stolen. Police have not yet identified or charged the suspect.