The family of one of two men fatally shot by a "disgruntled employee" at Navy Pier is struggling to accept the loss of such a "caring, giving person."
Lamont Johnson, 51, of Lansing, was identified as one of two men killed Tuesday afternoon in a shooting at the popular tourist attraction, sparking a lockdown as frantic patrons ran for cover in cars, back rooms and restrooms.
"He was just a fun guy to be around. He was a good guy," his aunt, Candy Johnson, told the Sun-Times. "I'm stuck. All day I've been doing nothing because I can't get over it."
The other man killed in the attack was identified as Peter Jennings, 47, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
As of Wednesday afternoon, investigators were still searching for the gunman, who is a former employee of a subcontractor at the pier and had been fired Oct. 14, according to police officials.
Both Johnson and Jennings were employees of the Chicago-based hospitality company Levy.
"We’re absolutely devastated by today’s tragic events and the shocking loss of two of our family members," the company wrote in a statement. "Our hearts break for their families and loved ones, whose lives are forever changed."
Johnson had worked at Navy Pier for more than a decade, according to his aunt, and had built a good life.
"He took care of his mother, he took care of his children, he was a family man," Johnson’s aunt said. "He was a caring person, a giving person. When he walked into a room, he always had a smile on his face ... come to think of it, I never saw him angry."
Johnson leaves behind four adult children, three daughters and a son, according to his aunt.
One of the daughters has been dealing with health issues, and Johnson spent all of Friday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with her, according to his aunt.
Days later he would be rushed into the same emergency room in critical condition.
It was about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday when paramedics were called to the pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., where they found the two wounded men outside, Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford said.
A security guard found Johnson and the other victim in a loading dock area, according to scanner traffic. Shell casings surrounded them.
Both victims were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Police Supt. Larry Snelling said Tuesday the gunman was "disgruntled" after being fired. Officials gave few additional details Wednesday, and did not identify the suspect.
"It's very early on in the investigation," Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti said when asked to elaborate on a motive during an unrelated media briefing at police public safety headquarters Wednesday. She declined to say more "until they get him into custody."
