Shooting Incident Outside Chicago O’Hare Airport: Man Injured, Investigation Underway

Airport sign for Baggage Claim and other destinations.

A 25-year-old man was shot twice outside Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport following a late-night altercation, leaving one person hospitalized and raising serious concerns about security at one of America’s busiest air travel hubs.

Key Takeaways

A 25-year-old man suffered two gunshot wounds to his lower body near Terminal 2 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport following an altercation.
The victim is in stable condition at Lutheran General Hospital, while police are interviewing a second individual connected to the incident.
Dozens of shell casings were found at the scene, and investigators are examining a white BMW parked near Terminal 1.
The shooting temporarily disrupted airport operations, with arrival lanes reopening later that morning.
This incident follows other recent airport-related shootings in Phoenix and Dallas, highlighting ongoing security concerns at American airports.

Shooting Erupts Outside Terminal 2

Chicago police rapidly responded to reports of gunfire outside O’Hare International Airport’s Terminal 2. According to authorities, the violence stemmed from an altercation involving multiple individuals that escalated into gunfire. The 25-year-old victim sustained two gunshot wounds to his lower body and was transported to Lutheran General Hospital, where medical staff listed him in stable condition. Law enforcement officials have detained another person for questioning as the investigation continues.

A witness staying at a nearby hotel reported hearing “a bunch of single shots” during the incident. Police discovered dozens of shell casings at the scene, suggesting a significant exchange of gunfire. Investigators are also examining a white BMW parked near Terminal 1 that may be connected to the shooting. The altercation reportedly began as a fistfight shortly after midnight before escalating to gunfire.

A 25-year-old man is in stable condition after being shot during a fight at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Suffered 2 gunshot wounds & taken to area hospital. It happened overnight outside Terminal 2. One person being interviewed by detectives. Police say the investigation continues. pic.twitter.com/LYlthfPCr6

— Josh Cradduck (@JoshNBCTV) March 12, 2025

Witness Accounts and Airport Disruptions

Raquel Barajas, who was present during the shooting, described the terrifying moments when a bullet struck a window near her location. “I was terrified, so honestly, these ear plugs saved my life. Getting up would have made me more scared and put me in a worse scenario, so I’m just really grateful to be alive right now,” said Barajas to reporters.

The incident disrupted airport operations, with a shattered window reported near the baggage claim area of Terminal 2, which serves JetBlue, Air Canada, and Alaska Airlines. Airport authorities closed arrival lanes at all terminals during the immediate aftermath of the shooting, though they reopened that morning. The Chicago Police Department’s Area Five Detectives are leading the ongoing investigation.

Part of a Concerning Trend at American Airports

This shooting at O’Hare is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern of gun violence at American airports. In December 2024, a similar incident occurred at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Just a month earlier, in November 2024, a bullet struck a Southwest Airlines plane at Dallas Love Field Airport as it prepared for takeoff.

The O’Hare incident also occurs against a backdrop of increasing gun violence across the United States. Reports indicate nearly 200 shootings have taken place across the country in the last 72 hours, with at least 12 in Chicago alone. Police have not disclosed any possible motives for the airport shooting or whether the individuals involved knew each other prior to the confrontation.