Chicago, IL – A 17-year-old girl, shot during a fight outside the Jewel-Osco store in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago this week, has been identified as a homeless teen who had been missing from Minnesota since January.
Incident Overview: Shooting Outside Jewel-Osco
The shooting occurred late Tuesday night outside the Jewel-Osco store located at the 1200 block of South Wabash Avenue. According to a CBS News Chicago viewer, Josiah Henderson, he heard two gunshots and then saw people fleeing the scene. When he approached, he saw the victim lying on the ground with blood near her leg.
“I first heard two shots go off, and then I seen some people running. I walk over there, and I see a girl laying down, and like, it’s like blood by her leg,” Henderson explained.
Video footage from Henderson showed the victim being placed on a stretcher and transported to an ambulance in serious condition.
Victim’s Identity Revealed as Missing Teen
The victim was initially not named due to her being a minor and a shooting victim, but sources later confirmed that she was the missing teen from Minnesota. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed that the teen had been reported missing in January, prompting the missing person alert to be canceled after her identification.
In a statement, the agency confirmed:
“She was located. Thank you to everyone who assisted in locating and for sharing the information.”
Shooting Details and Investigation
Chicago police reported that the teen was shot in her upper right thigh and is currently being treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Authorities also revealed that the shooter was a Jewel-Osco security guard who was involved in a verbal altercation with the teen outside the store.
During the altercation, the teen reportedly poured water on the security guard, who then drew a handgun and shot her. After the shooting, the security guard fled the scene, heading towards her home. Police later arrested her in the 8100 block of South Saginaw Avenue.
Security Guard’s Arrest and Evidence Collected
Upon arrest, detectives discovered evidence in the security guard’s vehicle, including the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.
Despite repeated inquiries, Jewel-Osco has not commented on whether its security guards are authorized to carry firearms or the company’s use of force policy. Notably, a review of the company’s website showed no mention of armed security officers or uniformed lot guards being permitted to carry firearms at Jewel-Osco stores.
Previous Use of Force Incident at Jewel-Osco
This incident is not the first involving a security guard firing a weapon at a Jewel-Osco store. Reports from 2024 mention a similar use of force case at the same location, though further details on the matter remain unclear.
Community Reactions and Efforts to Reconnect with Family
The victim’s family and advocates are working to reconnect her with loved ones. The administrator of a missing person’s Facebook page has been actively assisting in this effort to ensure the teen’s safe return to her family.
Conclusion
This tragic incident, involving a homeless teen and a security guard, has raised numerous questions about security protocols at Jewel-Osco and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. As the investigation continues, authorities urge the community to remain vigilant and informed.
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