Shooting at gas station in South Loop caught on camera
CHICAGO — A shootout at a gas station in the South Loop was captured on surveillance cameras.
Chicago police said the shootout began as an argument between two people. No one was hurt but the store owner told WGN-TV they’ve found dozens of bullet casings.
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“There were 50-60 shots,” Jonathan Nowak, who owns the 7-11 store, said. “We still found more shells today and it’s been a couple of days.”
Surveillance video shows a customer enter the store near the South Loop.
Outside, police said an argument escalated into gunfire.
“One car load is shooting another car from both pumps,” Nowak said. “Like the wild west, they were shooting each other.”
Nowak said it’s been nearly a year since he took over the location.
He said this isn’t the first time his store has been caught in the middle of a violent conflict.
He said there have been issues with a homeless encampment nearby.
His store was also the target of looting last August.
“It makes my workers quit,” he said. “There’s so much turnaround here in one year. Most than other stores in all my life. I’ve never had so much turnaround. I can’t even get workers here.”
This crossfire not only could have been deadly, but could have resulted in an explosion. Nowak said a bullet hit a pump and just barely missed the gas lines.
“I’m trying to give this area something beautiful just like other stores around here,” he said. “We just need help to keep it that way. Desperately.”
Nowak said he’s done all he can to implement safety measures.
“We have 30 cameras. We’ve got police cameras,” Nowak said. “They don’t care. They act like it’s not even there.”
He said he’s frustrated and hopes this brazen shooting gets the attention of city leaders.
“I know it’s hard to pay attention to everything but it would be nice for a little help,” he said.
Chicago police said both offenders left the area in separate directions and area detectives are still investigating.
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