Chicago, IL – A 23-year-old employee of Rush University Medical Center was shot multiple times in a targeted drive-by incident early Monday morning, leaving her in critical condition, according to Chicago police and hospital officials.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:24 a.m. in the 600 block of South Paulina Street, directly within the Rush University Medical Center campus on the city’s Near West Side in the Illinois Medical District. Police reported that the victim was sitting in her parked vehicle—a black Jeep Cherokee—preparing for her shift when a dark-colored sedan approached. Occupants of the sedan opened fire, striking the woman multiple times in the body before fleeing the scene.
The victim, identified by family members as a dispatcher at Rush, was rushed to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where she remains in critical but stable condition. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing by Area 3 detectives. Authorities have not released a detailed suspect description or motive, and it remains unclear whether the woman was specifically targeted or if the incident was random.
Rush University Medical Center issued a statement confirming the employee was the victim of an “aggravated battery with a firearm” outside the Armour Academic Center. “Rush Security is coordinating with the Chicago Police Department,” the statement read. “The victim and their family are at the center of our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.” The hospital did not enter lockdown, and operations continued normally, with questions about the investigation directed to Chicago police.
Crime scene tape surrounded the victim’s vehicle hours after the incident, and Paulina Street between Harrison and Polk streets remained partially blocked as officers and Rush security personnel processed the scene.
This shooting marks another violent incident in Chicago’s ongoing challenges with gun violence, occurring in a high-traffic medical area typically associated with healing rather than harm. Police continue to seek information from witnesses and review surveillance footage from the hospital campus.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Chicago Police Area 3 detectives or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers. Updates will be provided as the investigation develops.