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1 Dead, 8 Injured in Two Shootings Near Millennium Park After Holiday Tree Lighting

Two shootings in downtown Chicago late on Nov. 21 left one person dead and eight others wounded. The first incident near the Chicago Theatre injured seven teenagers; the second on South Dearborn produced one fatality and an 18-year-old in serious condition. Alderman Brian Hopkins posted accounts of a large juvenile disturbance and attacks on officers, and investigators are seeking witnesses and video. Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

02:20 AM, 11/23/2025Society
1 Dead, 8 Injured in Two Shootings Near Millennium Park After Holiday Tree Lighting

One person was killed and eight others were wounded after two separate shootings struck Chicago’s downtown Loop late Friday, Nov. 21, just blocks from Millennium Park, where a holiday tree lighting and other festivities had drawn large crowds earlier in the evening.

What happened

The first shooting occurred near the Chicago Theatre at the intersection of State and Randolph streets at about 9:50 p.m. Patrol officers reported hearing gunfire directed into a large group and, on arrival, located seven teenagers with gunshot injuries. The victims, aged 13 to 17, were taken to nearby hospitals in conditions described as "good" and "fair."

Shortly afterward, officers responded to the 100 block of South Dearborn Street, where two people were found with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Northwestern Hospital. One person was later pronounced dead; the other—an 18-year-old man—was listed in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the leg.

The Chicago Police Department confirmed the overall toll of one fatality and eight injured in the two incidents. Officials said investigations are ongoing and asked anyone with information or video to come forward.

Local reaction and reports

2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins posted on X that a large juvenile disturbance involving as many as "300 juveniles" was underway in the Loop that night and claimed multiple officers were attacked and injured. These details were described as his account of the scene.

One witness, Linda Dixon, said she and a group were leaving the Chicago Theatre when people began running and police rushed past. "We're coming out of the theater, and everybody just started running," she recalled. "We almost got knocked in the street because everyone was running that way."

The shootings interrupted a busy evening in the Loop: earlier, crowds had gathered in Millennium Park for the annual tree lighting and at Daley Plaza for the Christkindlmarket.

Investigation and reward

Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with the two shootings. Investigators continue to review available video and to seek witnesses who can help establish the sequence of events and the identities of those involved.

If you have information, contact Chicago Police or Crime Stoppers. The department has asked anyone with tips or footage to share it with authorities to aid the investigation.

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1 Dead, 8 Injured in Two Shootings Near Millennium Park After Holiday Tree Lighting - CRBC News