Rush University Medical Center employee shot, critically wounded in Illinois Medical District
A woman was critically wounded in a drive-by shooting early Monday morning in the middle of the Illinois Medical District on Chicago's Near West Side.
Police said at 5:24 a.m., a 23-year-old woman was in her parked car in the 600 block of South Paulina Street — right in the middle of the Rush University Medical Center campus — when a dark-colored sedan pulled up.
The occupants of the dark-colored car fired shots at the woman and struck her multiple times throughout her body, police said.
The woman was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County, blocks away, in critical condition. Her condition has since been stabilized following hours of surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, according to the victim's father.
A spokesperson for Rush confirmed the woman is an employee of the hospital.
On the Rush campus, the Armour Academic Center is located on the west side of Paulina Street, where the shooting happened, and a parking garage is located on the east side.
Police crime scene tape was seen surrounding a black Jeep Cherokee parked on the street in front of the garage. It is believed this was the victim's vehicle.
Hours after the shooting, Paulina Street remained blocked between Harrison and Polk streets, and Chicago police and Rush security remained on the scene.
No one was in custody Monday morning. Belmont Area detectives are investigating.
Police have not issued a description of the vehicle from which the shooter opened fire.
Rush University Medical Center said it did not go into lockdown over the shooting. The hospital and educational institution referred questions on the investigation to the Chicago police.
The hospital released a statement, saying in part, "Rush Security is coordinating with the Chicago Police Department after an employee was the victim of an aggravated battery with a firearm outside the Armour Academic Center. The victim and their family are at the center of our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time. Wellness resources are being made available to any staff in need following this incident."
They directed further questions to the Chicago Police Department.