CTA Worker Shot Near Rogers Park Red Line Station 1 Day After Mass Shooting on Blue Line

Shooting occurs hours after City officials address security following fatal Blue Line shooting claiming subway safe

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CHICAGO – A Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) employee was seriously injured in a drive-by shooting outside the Howard Street station, just hours after city officials reaffirmed the safety of the transit system following a mass shooting that claimed four lives on the Blue Line. The shooting occurred at 9:10 p.m. on Tuesday, in the 7500 block of North Paulina Street, near the northern terminal of the Red Line.

According to Chicago police, the 51-year-old CTA worker was standing near the station when shots were fired from a white SUV. The employee sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was rushed to a nearby hospital in serious condition. The shooter remains at large, and police have launched an investigation into the incident.

This shooting follows a press conference earlier that day in which CTA President Dorval Carter addressed the fatal shooting of four individuals on the Blue Line. The incident, which occurred on Monday morning, involved a gunman who opened fire on two train cars, killing four people who were sleeping at the time. The mass shooting has drawn national attention, intensifying the scrutiny on safety measures within Chicago’s transit system.

Rhanni S. Davis, a 30-year-old Chicago resident, has been charged with four counts of murder in connection with the Blue Line shooting. Davis was apprehended approximately 90 minutes after the incident at the California Pink Line station. He is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

During the press conference, Carter acknowledged the public’s growing concerns about safety on the CTA but emphasized that addressing crime on the Chicago transit system involves complex challenges that extend beyond the agency’s direct control. He stated that the CTA is committed to enhancing safety measures and continues to work closely with law enforcement to ensure the security of its riders.

“We have always taken safety and security on our trains very seriously, and we will continue to do so,” Carter said. “Our team is dedicated to doing everything possible to make the system safe for all users.”

Despite the CTA’s efforts, Carter noted that there are no immediate plans to reinstate a transit police force, a move that some local transit activists have advocated. Instead, the CTA relies on the Chicago Police Department and private security firms to patrol the system. In response to the rising crime on public transit, Carter has implemented contracts with private security and K-9 units, though these measures have faced criticism. Unarmed guards have expressed concerns about their ability to handle violent situations effectively.

The CTA has also introduced a pilot program offering social support services to individuals who are unhoused and frequently use the trains, often dealing with mental health challenges. However, the program remains limited in scope.

Crime rates on the CTA, including incidents of robbery, homicide, and assault, saw a decrease in 2023 compared to the pandemic years, but they remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. In April 2022, concerns about rising safety complaints led some CTA board members and rider advocacy groups to call for Carter’s resignation.

In light of the Blue Line shooting, the transit advocacy group Commuters Take Action issued a statement urging Carter and the CTA to take more immediate steps to protect riders. The group argued that while many of the root causes of violence are systemic and extend beyond the CTA’s purview, there are actions the agency can take to improve safety, including increasing the frequency of trains and buses to boost ridership and enhance vigilance on the system.

Last week, the CTA unveiled a new AI-based detection technology designed to notify law enforcement within minutes of a gunman’s presence on the transit system. Carter expressed optimism that this technology would add a layer of security for riders.

“Crime on our system is comparatively rare, and the CTA remains committed to providing safe and reliable transportation to nearly one million riders each day,” Carter said in a statement on August 29, announcing the new technology. “We hope this additional measure of protection brings further peace of mind to our passengers.”

The leader of the CTA’s largest union of bus operators has previously called for the city to consider deploying the National Guard to enhance security on public transit. This proposal, which would involve bag checks and other aggressive security measures similar to those implemented in New York City, has sparked debate in Chicago over the balance between safety and civil liberties.