Chicago crime: Man stabbed at downtown Ross retail store at Randolph Street, Wabash Avenue in the Loop, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) — A man was stabbed Saturday at a retail store in the Loop.

The assault happened around 2:56 p.m. at a Ross Dress for Less store near East Randolph Street and North Wabash Avenue, Chicago police said.

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A 26-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach and back after a verbal altercation with another man, police said. He was transported to Northwestern Hospital in good condition.

Chicago firefighters responded to the scene shortly before 3 p.m. The CFD initially said the man was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The violent attack happened during a busy shopping period. Witnesses described the fight, which they said appeared to be over the store’s merchandise.

“All of a sudden, they were fighting,” witness Mario Cadena said.

Ambulance sirens blared across downtown Chicago as an injured retail store worker was evacuated as his workplace turned into a crime scene.

“They taped off the whole men’s section with this yellow tape,” said customer Felicia Lowery. “I’m looking, like, ‘Okay, I don’t want anyone running into the elevator with me and trying to escape.'”

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Shoppers who witnessed the stabbing told ABC7 it happened near the men’s department.

Witnesses told ABC7 the person attacked was a security guard confronted by two people.

“At that moment I thought it was just two kids fighting over clothes,” Cadena said.

Customers reported seeing the suspect running away after the attack.

“I heard the staff member talking to the police,” witness Angelina Freeman said. “I guess he saw them, sort of, fighting. He saw them, (get) stabbed, and the person was gone.”

The store closed early to customers as police collected evidence inside, which ABC7 reported was scattered and bloody merchandise.

“That’s one thing I hate when summer comes, because you don’t get to enjoy summer,” Lowery said. “You always have to look over, you know, and now they’re in the stores.”

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No one was in custody. The police are continuing their investigation.

No further information was immediately available.

ABC7 has contacted Ross for comment.