Man With Assault Rifle Opens Fire At VA Hospital, No Injuries

CHICAGO, IL — Police shut down the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center Monday after a report of an active shooter in the building. No injuries were reported and a man believed to be the lone suspect was taken into custody. The shooting was reported around 2:18 p.m. at the Taylor Street entrance to the hospital at 820 S. Damen Ave., authorities said.

Witnesses evacuated from the building said the shooting began outside before the man entered the hospital. He was arrested inside by Veterans Affairs police. Police were seen placing evidence markers along Taylor Street near the entrance to the hospital. The suspected gunman was taken to Chicago Police Department's Area Central headquarters.

Jeff Sallet, special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago field office, said the man was "carrying an assault rifle and began firing." VA police inside took him into custody without firing a shot within 30 seconds, he said.

"We avoided tragedy here in the city of Chicago today," Sallet said, thanking officers with VA hospital police. "As those shots and the call came, they ran to the shots, resulting in a quick mitigation of the threat."

Lori Lohar, acting director of the VA medical center, said the gunman was not believed to be a veteran.

"The heroic efforts of law enforcement resulted in the individual being taken into custody with no reported injuries or loss of life," she said.

Because the hospital is a federal facility, any criminal charges connected to the incident will be filed in federal court by the U.S. Attorney's Office, according to the FBI. The shooters motive was not immediately known.

"We have, obviously, mass acts of violence happening in this country on a regular basis," Sallet said. "Here in the partnership with the Chicago Police Department — state, local and federal — we are working together on a regular basis to negate these threats."

Deputy Chief Christopher Kennedy of Chicago police said VA officers "averted what could have been something very tragic."

Active shooter response Taylor and Damen now secure. CFD has no patients. No one reported hit. Suspect in custody. Cfd leaving scene.
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) August 12, 2019

Witness from inside the hospital shot video of police making arrest. These are screenshots of the video.

Blurred because he has not been charged with a crime (yet).@cbschicago pic.twitter.com/L6Ec9XlWdO
— Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) August 12, 2019

The FBI has asked anyone who has information on the VA hospital shooting to submit their information via fbi.gov/tips. Information can be submitted anonymously.

Authorities also urged anyone whow was present during the shooting and is in need of support to contact the VA's Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.

Monday's VA hospital shooting comes nearly nine months after three people — two hospital employees and a Chicago police officer — were killed after a gunman opened fire at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. The gunman was also shot and killed.