Boy Shot Inside Downtown Chicago Hotel

Shooting marks the fifth in the Loop so far this year, the highest year-to-date total since at least 2019.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:06pm

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A juvenile was shot inside the Royal Sonesta Hotel in downtown Chicago early Sunday morning. The victim sustained a gunshot graze wound to the leg but refused to cooperate with police, who responded to the scene around 3:36 a.m. The shooting marks the fifth in the Loop neighborhood so far in 2026, the highest year-to-date total for the area since at least 2019.

Why it matters

Gun violence in downtown Chicago has been an ongoing concern, with the Loop seeing a spike in shooting incidents in recent years. This latest incident raises further questions about public safety and security measures in the city's central business district.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a call about a person shot in the first block of East Wacker Drive. The juvenile victim was transported to Lurie Children's Hospital in good condition, but refused to provide any details about the shooting to authorities. Officers were seen entering and exiting the Royal Sonesta Hotel, with one officer reporting the boy may have been shot in a hallway on the 12th floor. A group of 'kids' was also seen running down the hotel stairwell after the incident.

  • The shooting occurred around 3:36 a.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Royal Sonesta Hotel

A downtown Chicago hotel located at 71 East Wacker Drive, where the shooting incident took place.

Chicago Police Department (CPD)

The law enforcement agency that responded to the shooting call and is investigating the incident.

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What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate the shooting and are appealing for any witnesses or individuals with information to come forward.

The takeaway

This latest shooting in the Loop underscores the ongoing challenges Chicago faces in addressing gun violence, particularly in high-traffic areas of the city. The lack of cooperation from the victim highlights the difficulties authorities often encounter when trying to solve these types of crimes.