Crime
HVAC worker found fake guns and bomb materials at Lake Meadows apartment in Chicago
A significant police presence was deployed to an apartment building at 533 East 33rd Place in Chicago’s Lake Meadows neighborhood on Monday morning, following reports of suspicious materials discovered by an HVAC contractor.
Melissa Carraway, an HVAC contractor servicing radiators in the building, stumbled upon a cache of concerning items in one of the units.
Among the items reported were materials resembling explosives, rifles, various forms of identification, chemicals, and insignia associated with the City of Chicago and public safety departments. Carraway recorded a video of the findings before contacting 911.
The unit allegedly belongs to a male tenant described as a Middle Eastern Muslim, though authorities have not confirmed the identity or released further details.
The discovery prompted an immediate response from multiple agencies, including the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Bomb Squad, SWAT, K-9 units, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Residents were evacuated as law enforcement secured and searched the building.
After several hours of investigation, CPD declared the scene “all clear” around 1:30 p.m., determining that the items posed no actual threat. The explosives and rifles were found to be non-functional or fake.
Authorities detained a male resident of the apartment, but he has not been formally charged. Records indicate the individual had a prior history with law enforcement. In 2022, he was fired from the Chicago Fire Department after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at the city’s fire academy. Following that incident, he was taken into custody after a standoff with CPD. Despite this, he was later employed by another city agency, where he remains employed as of today.
In addition to the fake explosives and rifles, investigators discovered identification badges, including City of Chicago and private security credentials, as well as insignias for Chicago police and fire departments. The items’ purpose or significance remains under investigation.
Residents were allowed back into the building after hours of evacuation. The discovery caused unease among tenants, particularly given recent incidents involving explosives nationwide.
Carraway expressed her alarm upon finding the items, stating, “You hear about bombings in places like New Orleans and Las Vegas, and it scared me. I called immediately to make sure this was handled properly.”
Law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the incident to determine the suspect’s connection to the materials and assess any potential threat.
Further details about the suspect’s identity and potential charges are expected to be released as the investigation unfolds. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Montgomery Police Department (MPD) is investigating a deadly overnight mass shooting that occurred late Saturday in downtown Montgomery, leaving two people dead and twelve others injured, including two juveniles.
According to MPD, officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots near Bibb Street and Commerce Street around 11:30 p.m.
When police arrived, they found numerous victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Two individuals, including a woman identified by family members as Renee, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim has been identified as Lï Trappski.
Both victims were remembered by loved ones as kind, community-minded individuals whose lives were tragically cut short.
Among the 12 surviving victims, three remain in life-threatening condition, including one juvenile, while nine others sustained non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed condemned the shooting, calling it a “reckless and selfish act.”
“To have a heinous event like this take place prior to midnight in a busy part of our entertainment district is reckless and selfish,” Reed said. “You don’t care about your life? Go jump off a bridge. You don’t pull out a gun and shoot in a crowd of people.”
Police Chief Jim Graboys emphasized that the department will dedicate all available resources to apprehend those responsible.
“This is not acceptable. This is not normal,” Graboys said. “We will not rest until we put the people involved in jail.”
Chief Graboys noted that the incident does not appear to be a random mass shooting, but rather a confrontation between two groups who opened fire in a crowded area, endangering bystanders.
Mayor Reed confirmed that police units were stationed within 50 feet of both sides of the scene when the shooting erupted. He vowed that the suspects, once captured, would be “made an example of.”
The shooting occurred during a busy night in downtown Montgomery, as thousands of residents and visitors were in the area for several major events, including the Tuskegee–Morehouse Classic, the Alabama National Fair, and Alabama State University’s homecoming festivities.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement offering condolences to the victims and their families, while also expressing concern about violence in the state’s capital city.
“My deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by this senseless act,” Marshall said. “This tragedy underscores, once again, that our capital city is in crisis. I continue to be troubled by the city leadership’s refusal to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem.”
MPD confirmed that multiple individuals have been brought in for questioning in connection with the case. It remains unclear whether any of those individuals are considered suspects at this time.
Detectives have recovered several firearms believed to have been used in the shooting, some equipped with high-capacity magazines.
Authorities are actively reviewing witness statements, forensic evidence, and surveillance footage from the area.
“Detectives are actively pursuing leads and reviewing evidence,” MPD said in a statement. “We urge anyone with information related to this incident to come forward. Even the smallest detail could be critical to helping investigators identify those responsible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Montgomery Police Department at 334-625-2831 or reach out anonymously to Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).