On Friday, three individuals were shot outside a problematic hookah lounge located on the border of West Town and Wicker Park, marking the second shooting incident at the venue in the last 18 months. As a result, the city has taken action and ordered the lounge to shut down.
Alderman Daniel La Spata (1st) expressed his agreement with the community’s anger towards the shooting incident on Friday afternoon. He reported that he promptly called for the summary closure of the business in response to the incident.
La Spata expressed deep concern on Twitter, especially in light of the violence that occurred at this business in early 2023, and the community meetings that took place over the course of a year where many 1st Ward residents voiced their desire for a change in the Plan of Operations.
At 1:27 a.m. on Friday, a group of people standing on the sidewalk outside the lounge was targeted by a gunman in a black sedan who opened fire. However, a witness shared with CWBChicago that they saw a second gunman shoot from a nearby corner, leading them to believe that it was an “ambush-style shooting.” It has been revealed that the shootings were preceded by a fight inside Lyon’s Den, according to officials.
More than 20 shell casings were found by investigators in three different locations on the block. Fortunately, three men, aged 23, 32, and 45, were reported to be in good condition after being shot.
On January 1, 2023, a gunfire exchange occurred in the vicinity of the Lyon’s Den entrance, resulting in the unfortunate demise of one of the club’s security officers, while another individual was left wounded.
Around 1:30 a.m. after the shooting incident, the police reported that a man carrying a handgun attempted to enter Lyon’s Den while threateningly brandishing the weapon. A gunfight followed with the victims, resulting in the death of Austin McAllister, a 38-year-old bouncer working at Lyon’s Den and a father of six. The other victim, a 26-year-old man, sustained a gunshot wound to his left calf but survived the incident. McAllister’s family members confirmed that he was a military veteran and a devoted father of six.
According to McAllister’s sister, it’s heartbreaking that he got injured in Iraq only to return home to Chicago and be killed for simply turning away a patron from the hookah lounge. McAllister wasn’t out partying or drinking, he was working hard to support his children and himself.
In the aftermath of the 2023 shooting, Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd) urged the city to close Lyon’s Den. However, former CPD Superintendent David Brown opted not to take any action. Eventually, the club agreed to enhance its security measures and restrict BYOB alcohol consumption in March 2023.
Approximately eight weeks following the shooting incident, the Chicago Police Department revealed their search for a 31-year-old parolee named Jimmy Chamberlain, who they believed was involved in the shooting. Chamberlain had been on parole for precisely three years, having served half of a 21-year sentence for committing an armed home invasion.
Last summer, Chamberlain was apprehended by authorities and is currently imprisoned, awaiting trial for 12 felony charges, among which are eight counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder.
