Crime
Navy Pier shooting suspect in custody
Levy Restaurants, an official food and beverage partner of Navy Pier, later confirmed that both victims were their employees.
UPDATE: A tragic shooting incident occurred at Navy Pier in Chicago on November 5th, 2024, resulting in the deaths of two employees, Peter Jennings and Lamont Johnson.
The alleged perpetrator, 37-year-old Raylon East, a former employee of Levy Restaurants, was arrested in connection with the double homicide.
According to surveillance footage, East entered the Navy Pier facility wearing a disguise and proceeded to the loading dock area, where he fatally shot his former colleagues. He then fled the scene, discarding evidence along the way.
A 9mm handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered from the Chicago River near the scene of the crime.
East was apprehended by police and is facing serious charges, including murder. If convicted, he could potentially face a life sentence.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
A person of interest is now in custody following a fatal shooting at Chicago’s Navy Pier earlier this week, as confirmed by the Chicago Police Department.
On Thursday, authorities released images of a man wanted for allegedly killing two former colleagues at Navy Pier on Tuesday.
The shooting occurred around 1:17 p.m. on Tuesday, when an ex-employee of a subcontractor reportedly gained access to Navy Pier’s premises via a loading dock near the Sable Hotel and opened fire on his former coworkers.
A community alert issued by CPD described the suspect as a Black male, approximately 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Immediately following the incident, first responders were deployed to Navy Pier, and officials ordered a shelter-in-place as the pier went on lockdown for several hours.
Levy Restaurants, an official food and beverage partner of Navy Pier, later confirmed that both victims were their employees.
In a statement, the company referred to the deceased as “family members,” adding, “We’re absolutely devastated. Our hearts break for their families and loved ones, whose lives are forever changed.”
On Thursday evening, Navy Pier also released a statement expressing relief over the person of interest’s apprehension.
“Navy Pier expresses immense gratitude to the Chicago Police Department for their swift and coordinated efforts following this tragic incident. We are relieved that the suspect has been taken into police custody and extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of Lamont Johnson and Peter Jennings, who were treasured members of the Navy Pier community.”
Authorities have classified the shooting as an isolated incident. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Area Three detectives at (312) 744-8261. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be submitted to CPDTIP.com using reference #JH496538.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.