News from Eataly Chicago: CPD says shot fired during altercation at Italian grocery store in River North

CHICAGO (WLS) – Chaos ensued at Eataly Chicago in River North Friday morning after a shot was fired during an altercation at a downtown Italian grocery store, Chicago police said.

Reports of a physical altercation inside Eataly led dozens of officers to the store at 43 East Ohio Street around 9:30 a.m

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

A man and two other people, all of whom were men, got into a verbal and physical altercation in the marketplace, police said. The man pulled out a gun, which exploded during the fight. Nobody was shot.

Police said the two people the man was arguing with took the gun and fled the scene before officers arrived.

The man who pulled the gun suffered minor injuries and was taken to Northwestern Hospital in good condition. The Chicago Fire Department said he was struck in the face. No other injuries were reported.

An employee told ABC7 that shots were fired on the second floor of Eataly.

Carolyn Murray, a customer who came to Chicago this weekend from Crown Point, Indiana, said she was in the store when she saw customers and staff running away in panic.

“Just as we entered the building, we saw people rushing out. We knew there was some sort of chaos, but desperate for our coffee, we joined the queue. Then came the police and the SWAT and the heavy weapons.” “We went in,” Murray. “Someone was upstairs when the shooting happened and he said he heard the shots.”

Staff were temporarily held outside. An ABC7 crew said some managers were allowed back in one at a time around 11 a.m

Police appeared to block roads in the area, but all roads were reopened by 10:30 a.m. The store itself was still closed at 11 a.m. while police continued to investigate.

The authorities initially did not provide any further information.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood