In the early morning hours of December 23, 2025, a violent altercation erupted aboard a Chicago Transit Authority train in the downtown Loop, resulting in a fatal shooting. Around 1:30 a.m., Raymond S. Harrison Jr., a 44-year-old male, was riding a Pink Line train near the 100 block of North Wells Street along with a 23-year-old companion. While on the train, the two men became involved in a heated verbal dispute with a third individual who was armed with a knife.
The argument quickly
escalated into a physical confrontation inside the train car. During the struggle, a firearm was produced by one of the men involved in the initial dispute. The man originally armed with the knife managed to wrestle the gun away during the scuffle. Once in possession of the firearm, the suspect discharged the weapon, striking both Harrison and the younger man. The assailant then fled the scene before law enforcement could arrive.
Emergency responders arrived to find a chaotic scene where a witness had attempted to render aid to the survivors. Harrison had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported to Northwestern Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The 23-year-old victim, who suffered a gunshot wound to the wrist, was also taken to Northwestern Hospital and was listed in fair condition.
Police officers canvassed the area around Wells and Randolph streets, marking shell casings and gathering evidence from the train car. Despite the investigation and the recovery of video surveillance from the scene, authorities reported that the suspect managed to escape. As of the initial reports following the incident, no arrests had been made, and detectives continued their search for the man responsible for the shooting.
