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
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.