Security guard shoots homeless teen during altercation outside Jewel-Osco

In Chicago, Illinois, a serious incident occurred late Tuesday night when a 17-year-old girl was shot outside a Jewel-Osco store located in the South Loop neighborhood. The altercation began around 10:30 p.m., prompting police to respond to reports of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers discovered the girl with a gunshot wound in her upper right thigh. Witnesses described hearing two shots followed by a commotion as people fled the scene. As the situation unfolded, the girl was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she was reported to be in good condition after treatment. Further investigation into the incident revealed that the victim was a homeless teen who had been missing from Minnesota since January. Reports confirmed that her missing person alert had been canceled after being located by police. The altercation leading to the shooting reportedly involved the teenager pouring water on the security guard, which escalated the situation. In response, the security guard drew a handgun and shot the teenager, who then fell to the ground with a gunshot wound. After the shooting, the security guard attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended later on South Saginaw Avenue. Subsequent searches of the guard's vehicle led to the discovery of several items of evidence, including what investigators believe to be the firearm used in the shooting. This prompted further scrutiny regarding the security guard's authorization to carry a weapon and whether protocols were followed effectively. Jewel-Osco officials stated they are cooperating with local police regarding the ongoing investigation. The incident has raised significant safety concerns in the South Loop area, which has experienced various safety issues over the past year, primarily due to loitering and harassment complaints from residents. Community response is crucial as many are advocating for enhanced security measures to prevent such violent incidents in the future.