CHICAGO — In a tragic incident at Navy Pier, a man who had recently lost his job at the popular Chicago destination returned and fatally shot two employees. The police have confirmed the attack occurred Tuesday afternoon when the former employee managed to enter an office area close to a loading dock at the venue.

According to police Chief of Patrol Jon Hein, the shooter targeted Lamont Johnson, 51, and a 47-year-old man who has not yet been publicly identified. Both victims were transported to a hospital, where they were later declared dead.

While authorities have refrained from disclosing the assailant’s name at this time, they cited a departmental protocol that prevents naming suspects until formal charges are brought against them. There was also confusion regarding the identification of one victim, as the police had not disclosed the name but acknowledged his age.

The suspect had been terminated from his position at Navy Pier on October 14, which is known for its shops, restaurants, entertainment options, and the iconic Ferris wheel that overlooks Lake Michigan. Brian Murphy, the chief operating officer of Navy Pier, mentioned to the media that the shooter was familiar with the location and had gained access based on his previous employment with a contractor. “He knew how to get to that back loading dock area,” Murphy explained.

Following the incident, Navy Pier was placed on lockdown, and local residents received alerts about the situation, according to Murphy.

A souvenir shop employee, Stephanie Knowles, recounted how her manager informed staff to begin closing down operations immediately after receiving a concerning phone call. Workers then extinguished lights and took refuge in a back storage room for safety.

Expressing her feelings on the unsettling experience, Knowles said, “I was a little nervous, you know, when you think about the high school shootings. I’ve never had to live through that, so this was the closest thing that I’ve had to that experience.”