Thieves break windows of business along Chicago's Magnificent Mile

Hundreds of people smashed windows of business on August 10 in Chicago's Magnificent Mile, the downtown shopping district. (Washington Post)

Thieves break windows of business along Chicago's Magnificent Mile

Hundreds of people smashed windows and looted stores in Chicago's Magnificent Mile, the downtown shopping district, on Sunday night and early Monday morning, according to videos and reports from the scene.

Officers shot at least one person and chased the suspects with bags full of goods, standing some on the ground and blocking the streets as they sought to restore order in the area.

It is not clear what triggered the unrest. But it came after a tense day between police and black residents after police shot and wounded a man in the city's South Side, sparking a violent confrontation between dozens of officers and angry neighbors.

A Chicago police spokesman said that as of early Monday morning, police had no details on the number of arrests they had made or how widespread damage had been to businesses in the city center.

"For the moment, it's still going on. It's still an ongoing sight," Officer Hector Alvaro told the Washington Post.

Videos show thieves wandering the street, making their way to stores including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom RAK, and Tesla dealer. The Chicago Tribune reported that some cars dropped more people at the scene, and at one point, a U-Haul truck rolled into the area.

A spokesperson said on Twitter that police shot the policemen just south of the Magnificent Mile, though it was unclear if the alleged perpetrators shot.

When police closed highway ramps, bus and train services in the city center were suspended "at the request of public safety officials," the city transport agency said.

The violent scene came hours after the intense police response to the shooting in the Englewood South Side neighborhood. The shooting took place around 2:30 in the afternoon.

Deputy Police Chief Yolanda Tali told reporters that the suspect turned around and shot the police, prompting the officers to respond by firing and beating the unidentified man. WGN reported that the suspect, who Tali said was in his late teens or twenties, was taken to a hospital in an "unknown" condition.

Soon a crowd gathered nearby and nerves erupted after police pulled a cell phone from someone who had filmed the shooting. Soon the ranks of the police were confronted by a rapidly growing group. Chicago News

The Tribune newspaper reported that a person threw a stone through the window of a police car, and an officer was injured. Later, two demonstrators were arrested.

Emotions were rising. Tally told reporters that they were responding to misinformation. 

We were standing on the line and if there was no crime scene, we wouldn't be there. "

She added that the shooting was not captured by police cameras. WMAQ reported that the city police watchdog is leading an investigation into the accident.

Chicago News

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