Person of interest released after man shot near Murphy’s Bleachers in Wrigleyville

CHICAGO (WGN) — A 26-year-old was hospitalized after shots rang out Thursday evening near Murphy’s Bleachers, the famed Wrigleyville-area sports pub near Wrigley Field.

According to police, a person of interest was in custody but was released without charges.

CPD said the shooting occurred just before 7 p.m. in the 900 block of W. Waveland. The male shooting victim was on the sidewalk when he was shot in the left arm by an unknown offender.

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A witness told WGN News that two groups of youth were fighting outside on Waveland when gunfire erupted, while many patrons were still outside on the patio. Customers say the wounded man was not a part of the fight that broke out.

One customer recalled hearing what sounded like clanging to WGN News, while other patrons rushed into the back.

Some even ducked behind the bar, said customer Tom Morahan.

“It seemed like the bigger group was walking away going east, and then I went in the bathroom and 15, 20 seconds later, I just heard a bunch of gunshots,” he said. “I got down closer than I wanted to be on the port-a-potty floor, and then I got out maybe 20-30 seconds after that, and then I went into Murphy’s bar. It was kind of crazy.”

First responders rushed the victim to a nearby hospital in good condition.

Witnesses told WGN News that they saw several teens reportedly involved scatter. One CTA rider captured what appeared to be police detaining multiple people on a Red Line train at the Wilson stop.

CPD says officers recovered a firearm at the scene.

An investigation is ongoing.