4 shot on Chicago-area Blue Line train

CHICAGO (CBS) — Four people were killed in a shooting Monday morning on a CTA Blue Line train in west suburban Forest Park.

All four victims were passengers on a Blue Line train heading toward the Forest Park terminus when they were shot just before 5:30 a.m., said Forest Park Deputy Police Chief Christopher Chin.

Police said three victims were found dead at the scene. A fourth victim was taken to a local hospital where he died. Officers had not identified the victims as of late Monday afternoon.

Chin said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and there was no threat to the community. Investigators believe there was only one shooter.

Police said it did not appear the shooter knew any of the victims, who all appeared to be homeless people who were sleeping during the train ride. Police also said it did not appear the shooter was trying to rob the victims and that the attack was completely random.

“It’s obviously shocking. You know, it’s rare to have a mass shooting here, especially this close to home, which we’re investigating on a holiday. So it’s reasonable for people to feel unsafe,” Chin said. “It’s a terrible situation. It’s definitely something you don’t want to see when you wake up. It’s a Monday morning holiday. Everyone should be enjoying their time off, spending time with their family. It’s Labor Day, so the fact that we actually have to be here to deal with this situation is terrible.”

CTA Security and Forest Park Police located the suspected shooter using surveillance footage. The suspect was located on a CTA Pink Line train and taken into custody Monday morning. A gun was found.

“Surveillance footage is key in many of our investigations, especially in this case,” Chin said.

The Blue Line was suspended between Forest Park and Austin. Shuttle buses were available, and CTA trains will run between O’Hare and Austin.

“It’s a terrible tragedy that four people died over the Labor Day weekend,” said Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins.

In a statement, the CTA said, “This morning’s incident on the Forest Park Blue Line branch is the definition of a heinous crime and tragedy. Our condolences go out to those who lost loved ones to this senseless act of crime — our thoughts and prayers are with them. The safety of our passengers and employees is and remains our number one priority. While this matter remains under investigation, all current information indicates that Monday morning’s incident on the Forest Park Blue Line branch was an isolated incident. The quick and collaborative efforts of both the Forest Park Police Department and the Chicago Police Department are to be commended. CTA will continue to support local law enforcement as this investigation continues.”

Chin asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact Forest Park police at 708-366-2425 or [email protected].

An appeal to increase the number of services at the railway station

Mayor Rory Hoskins said the tragedy should highlight the need for more resources in Forest Park, noting that two major CTA rail lines, the Blue Line and the Green Line, both have terminus stops in Forest Park.

In recent years, there have been a number of incidents at the Forest Park train station, the last stop on the Blue Line.

That has led to local police and fire departments having to respond to the station more than any other location in its jurisdiction, for everything from mental health emergencies to opioid overdoses. One official told CBS News Chicago that first responders are called in after discovering such cases on the train as it pulls into its final stop.

The volume of 911 calls has also increased in recent years, averaging 4,300 calls per year to the Des Plaines Avenue location, or an average of about 11 calls per day.

Amid the increased calls for help, Hoskins appealed to state lawmakers to do more to help villagers deal with such incidents.

“We would ask them to consider investing additional resources in terms of security, public safety, law enforcement officers, etc., to support a small community like Forest Park that has to respond to issues with two major rail lines,” he said.

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