Police searching for suspect in shooting on State Street bridge

As tourists and homeward-bound workers clogged the streets during Monday’s rush hour, a man pulled out a handgun on the State Street bridge over the Chicago River and shot another man in the head.

Late Monday, police were searching for the gunman and talking to the 29-year-old victim, who was listed in critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Police had no information about a motive, but said there was no reason for people living and working in the area of the shooting to be concerned.

“We don’t believe this is a random event,” said Area 3 Police Cmdr. Gary Yamashiroya. “The victim was shot in extremely close vicinity by the offender.”

The victim was on the west side of the State Street bridge, walking to work, when the gunman approached from behind at 5:05 p.m. and shot him in the head, Yamashiroya said.

Police said they planned to review video surveillance from many cameras in the area.

Umbrella-wielding pedestrians were hurrying along Loop streets, seeking shelter from the threatening skies, when the shooting occurred.

Fifteen-year-old Sammeiso Lewis said he saw the shooting as he and several friends were headed to the H&M clothing store on State Street.

“We heard a gunshot — like ‘boom!’ ” Lewis said. “All we see is one man fall on the ground. And some lady and her husband came running across the street to come help the man. ... Everybody was just trying to put something over him.”

Lewis said the shooter and the victim were walking near each other. “And all you see is someone pull out a gun and shoot him,” Lewis said.

The shooter ran south across the bridge, and then headed east towards Wabash Avenue, Lewis said.