Chicago police and the Evanston suburb say at least four people are dead, including the sniper, and at least four others were seriously injured during a shootout in both cities on Saturday.
Police originally reported that four victims died in the shooting, but a woman who was shot in Evanston inside an IHOP restaurant is still fighting for her life on Sunday morning, according to an updated statement from authorities.
The man the police believe was responsible for the shooting, identified as Jason Nightengale, 32, was shot and killed during a gunfight with the police outside the restaurant in Evanston, ending a series of murders that shocked the city.
The shooting started at block 5300 on South East End Avenue around 1:50 pm on Saturday, when Nightengale pulled into a parking lot and fired at a 30-year-old man who was sitting in a vehicle.
This man, who was later confirmed as a student at the University of Chicago, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Chicago police.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Nightengale entered an apartment building on block 4900 on South East End Avenue. He shot a woman who worked as a security guard in the building. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Another 77-year-old woman was inside the building retrieving her mail when she was shot. She is in critical condition at the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said.
The sniper then went down East End Avenue to another building and aimed a gun at a male victim, whom he knew, according to police. The man pushed the guy into his apartment and demanded the keys to his vehicle, and fled the scene in a red Toyota sedan.
At approximately 3:45 pm, the suspect drove to block 9300 on South Halsted Street and entered a store, where he announced a robbery. Police said he then fired, hitting a 20-year-old man in the head. This man was taken to the Hospital de Cristo, where he was pronounced dead.
An 81-year-old woman inside the store was shot in the back and neck, and was taken to Christ Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
At approximately 5 pm, the sniper attacked again, this time shooting a 15-year-old girl who was in a vehicle on block 10300 on South Halsted Street. The girl was hit in the head and taken to the Children’s Hospital Comer, where she is in critical condition.
Just five minutes later, Nightengale fired at a Chicago police vehicle investigating the previous CVS shooting, hitting the vehicle. No one was hit during that incident.
Nightengale then allegedly drove north to a CVS pharmacy near the Chicago and Evanston border, announcing a robbery on Saturday night. After firing at least one shot there, which did not hit anyone, he fled across the street to an IHOP restaurant.
Once inside, the sniper shot a woman in the head, according to Evanston police. She is in critical condition on Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Nightengale then fired at the Evanston police and they responded to the fire. He was shot several times and transported to AMITA Health St. Francis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The police still don’t know the reason for the case, and the Chicago and Evanston police are still investigating the shootings.