Workers and travelers described hearing “rapid fire,” seeing a violent brawl and “people scattering” early Wednesday when a shooting erupted outside O’Hare Airport, according to videos reviewed by the Sun-Times.
Several people began arguing about 12:55 a.m. in the airport when it spilled onto the street outside Terminal 2, and a 25-year-old man was shot twice in his lower body, Chicago police said.
The man was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where his condition was stabilized, police said.
“Gunshots fired at the airport,’’ said a dispatcher over police radio as the situation began.
Six to seven males who were wearing all black were fighting in the terminal and then “went outside and started shooting,” the dispatcher said.
Responding Jefferson Park District police officers asked where exactly it happened.
“2A,” a dispatcher said. “Downstairs in arrivals.”
Over the air, an officer gave a description of the possible gunman, who had dreadlocks and was in a black SUV.
In another video, several men can be seen fighting in a vestibule on the lower level. As some run outside, multiple gunshots can be heard.
James Van Schaick was in a hotel across the street when he heard a “half-dozen to a dozen shots.”
“I heard a bunch of rapid fire, and I opened up my curtain and I looked, and I saw people scattering,” Van Schaick told Network Video Productions. “I didn’t see [officers] chasing after anybody.”
Mahmoud, a worker at O’Hare, saw the violent situation developing in front of him.
“They start fighting, regular fighting. After that, they [go] in the car, they bring the gun and then start shooting,” said Mahmoud, who didn’t give his last name. “After that, I hit the ground.”
A bullet from the gunfire shattered a large window several feet from Raquel Barajas, who was in the airport trying to get some rest.
“That’s terrifying,” Barajas said as she examined the shattered glass Wednesday, hours after the shooting.
Barajas was asleep during the incident but “when I woke up and seen all the cops, I was terrified.”
She said she was glad she wore earplugs and slept through it.
“I’m honestly just really grateful to be alive right now,” she said.
Several rifle rounds were recovered at the scene, according to a law enforcement source.
As of 5:15 a.m., all lower-level arrival lanes at all terminals at O’Hare were fully open, the Chicago Department of Aviation said in a statement.
Van Schaick, who worked in public safety, said he can’t recall a similar incident at a public airport.
“I would say it’s unusual,” Van Schaick said. “I’ve never seen it like this before.”
A person walks in front of shattered glass, where a bullet went through hours earlier, in the arrival area of O’Hare International Airport’s Terminal 2, Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Late Wednesday morning, several travelers expressed fear and sadness about what happened and reflected on what authorities could do to prevent it from happening again.
Bryan Saint-Louis , a public speaker who flew to Chicago from St. John’s, Canada, said he was a “little shocked” to hear about the shooting.
“You’re always thinking about how these things can be prevented. More so, that was the first thing that came to my mind,” Saint-Louis, 34, said. “What are we doing to make a difference?”
Saint-Louis suggested an increased police presence at airports worldwide could be one approach.
“No matter what time people are coming in, they always want to be safe and want to be in an area they know is supposed to help them,” said Saint-Louis, who has relatives who live in the city. “I would hope they take some time to really think about what can be done and not try to put a band-aid on the solution.”
Neal Teschendorf, who traveled from Manila, Philippines, stands in the arrival area of O’Hare International Airport’s Terminal 2, where a gunman shot another man early Wednesday.
A weary Neal Teschendorf, who was making his way back to his Ohio home after vacationing in the Philippines, said he planned on being cautious about his surroundings as always.
“This is routine now,” Teschendorf, 55, said of the gun violence. “If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. I’m not gonna stop traveling.”
Thomas Xavier, a chef who flew in from Houston, recommended setting up entrance checkpoints and inspecting vehicles to ensure those near terminals aren’t carrying firearms.
“If they have this in control, it will be good for the travelers,” Xavier said. “We will feel safe.”
Later Wednesday, officials said a person was being interviewed by police as Area 5 detectives continued to investigate,. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday afternoon.
