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
15-year-old Kenwon Van Pelt found shot dead inside home at Englewood neighborhood
No suspects are in custody at this time, and the investigation remains active.
CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2024 – A tragic incident unfolded today as 15-year-old Kenwon Van Pelt, affectionately known as “Lil Kso” by his family and friends, was fatally shot inside his home.
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) received a call reporting a person shot around 11:35 a.m. at the intersection of Marquette and Parnell.
Officers arrived to find Kenwon in his bedroom, seated in a chair, with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
While CPD has not disclosed further details about the case, investigators are searching for a group of teens who were reportedly inside the home with Kenwon at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses suggest the group fled the scene, leaving the doors open. Evidence collected from the scene includes a single shell casing in the bedroom, a live round discovered in the nearby alley, and a cellphone found close to the residence.
No suspects are in custody at this time, and the investigation remains active.
CPD Area 1 Detectives are urging anyone with information about this case to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted at CPDTIP.com, or individuals can contact the 7th District police station directly at (312) 747-8220.
This tragic loss marks the second fatal shooting of a teenager within 12 hours in Chicago, following a separate mass shooting.
This devastating pattern of gun violence continues to claim young lives and leave communities in mourning. As bloodshed escalates, families and neighborhoods are being torn apart.
“We must address this crisis head-on,” community leaders and advocates have reiterated. “If we, as parents and members of the community, don’t step up, we will continue to lose our children to the senseless violence that plagues our streets.”
The loss of Kenwon Van Pelt underscores the urgent need for collective action to protect Chicago’s youth and end the cycle of violence.