1 dead, 1 wounded in New Year's Day hookah lounge shootout

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE, CHICAGO - A shootout in a hookah lounge in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood early New Year's Day left one man dead and another wounded, authorities said.

The shootout marks the city's first homicide of the 2023 year.

According to police, around 1:30 a.m. early New Year's Day, an unknown man tried to enter The Lyon's Den hookah lounge on the 2100 block of W. Division Street on the border of the Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park neighborhoods on the city's northwest side. The man was reportedly "brandishing a handgun" and trying to enter the business by force.

Though it's unclear their relationship to the business at this time, according to police, there was a shootout between the as-yet-unknown offender and two victims inside the hookah lounge.

The first victim is reportedly a 28-year-old man who was shot to the left leg, abdomen, and shoulder. He was rushed to Stroger Hospital where he was initially listed in critical condition, but he later died from his injuries. The second victim is a 26-year-old man shot in the left calf. The second victim is in good condition, also at Stroger Hospital.

CWBChicago talked to an an officer who reportedly reviewed surveillance video of the shooting. The officer described the gunman as a black male with short curly hair, wearing a blue sweater over a light blue shirt, black jeans, and white shoes. The officer added they believe the man stands 5'11"-6'0" tall and is approximately 180-200 pounds.

There is no one in custody but authorities are looking for a light-colored SUV that fled the scene. Area Three detectives are investigating.

At the time of this publishing, the victim in this shooting is the first homicide victim of the 2023 calendar year.

The Chicago Journal needs your support.

At just $20/year, your subscription not only helps us grow, it helps maintain our commitment to independent publishing.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

If you're already a subscriber and you'd like to send a tip to continue to support the Chicago Journal, which we would greatly appreciate, you can do so at the following link:

Send a tip to the Chicago Journal