CHICAGO —A man was shot in the leg near the newly-opened Bally’s temporary casino in the city’s River North neighborhood.
The shooting happened around 2:47 a.m. Monday in the 600 block of North State Street. Police said the 21-year-old man was walking on the sidewalk when someone inside a silver Dodge pick-up truck fired shots.
The man was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the left leg.
No one is in custody. Area Three Detectives are investigating.
The shooting happened just a block from the Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Avenue, where Bally’s opened a temporary casino on Saturday.
Police sources tell WGN News that investigators do not believe the victim is connected to Bally’s and was not believed to be coming from the casino when the shooting occurred.
Monday afternoon Bally’s released a statement that said, in part, “We are confident this situation was completely unrelated to our temporary venue. Providing the best in state-of-the-art surveillance and a 24/7 security team, we hold the highest standards in providing security and monitoring the casino’s perimeter. We will continue working closely with CPD and other law enforcement agencies.”
According to crime statistics from the CPD’s 18th District, which includes the River North neighborhood, shootings in the area were down 55% from the start of the year through September, compared to the same time last year.
Geno Schellenberger, who lives in the area of Bally’s temporary casino in River North, said he is hopeful the temporary casino will be a positive driver for local restaurants and area businesses, on top of helping reinforce safety in the area.
“I hope that it will bring some people in and that they’re having a good time and being safe,” Schellenberger said.
