Lamont Johnson Obituary, Death – Two men were fatally shot at Chicago’s Navy Pier on Tuesday afternoon, allegedly by a former employee. Chicago Police Chief of Patrol Jon Hein reported that the shooting occurred around 1:18 p.m. in a loading dock office where the ex-employee reportedly entered and fired at two men. Both victims suffered head injuries and were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. The Medical Examiner identified one victim as Lamont Johnson, aged 51; the second victim was a 47-year-old man. Both worked for a contractor associated with Navy Pier.
The police quickly launched a search for a person of interest believed to be the shooter, while detectives from the Belmont Area investigated at the scene. Navy Pier Chief Operating Officer Brian Murphy described the incident as isolated, occurring in a restricted, non-public area of the pier. In response to the shooting, Navy Pier immediately activated its security protocols, including a shelter-in-place order and full lockdown. Once authorities confirmed that the suspect had left the premises, the lockdown was lifted, and the pier reopened to the public.
Murphy assured the public that there was no perceived threat beyond the initial incident, and Navy Pier officials, along with police, believed the shooting was targeted rather than a public safety risk. Despite the rain and it being Election Day, the pier was crowded with visitors, many of whom were surprised by the lockdown.
Stephanie Knowles, a Navy Pier employee, explained that her manager was instructed to initiate lockdown procedures, leading her and her colleagues to seek shelter in a storage room. Many visitors who were indoors at the time didn’t hear the gunshots but realized the severity of the situation when they noticed an increased police presence and restricted access to the area. Leena Porter, a visitor, described how officers quickly filled the scene, redirecting people and blocking traffic to ensure safety.
Other visitors, like Anthony Faulkner from Texas, followed staff to a secure area after hearing about an active shooter. Faulkner said they took refuge in an office with HR personnel, awaiting further updates. Trent Halasek, visiting from Cincinnati, noted seeing officers in full riot gear and SWAT teams arriving, which initially led him to believe there might be a protest due to the day’s election. However, as the response intensified, he understood that a more serious incident had taken place.
Former Chicago Mayor and political analyst Lori Lightfoot commented on the swift response by Navy Pier’s security team, attributing it to established safety protocols and efficient communication with staff and vendors. Lightfoot also mentioned that Navy Pier COO Brian Murphy, who is also a police officer, likely contributed to the organized response. Additionally, she noted that police would be examining surveillance footage from cameras throughout Navy Pier, which could aid in identifying the shooter.
No weapon was found at the scene, and as of Tuesday evening, the police investigation continued. Navy Pier announced plans to reopen on Wednesday, ensuring that safety measures were in place for returning visitors.