Chicago Police Swarm Trump Tower

Police have established a perimeter and portions of the roadway have been blocked around Trump Tower on Chicago’s northeast side, Fox 32 Chicago reported Wednesday afternoon.

“We have no word on what might have triggered this reaction, but if you’re walking or driving, expect possible closures in that area,” a station anchor said.

Katie Aparicio, an office tenant in the Accenture Tower on West Madison Avenue in Chicago, shared news week a security alert email she received at 12:27 p.m. local time.

“It has been reported that an individual is inside Trump Tower with a firearm as a result of a domestic incident,” the alert said. “The area around Trump Tower has been cordoned off. Wabash is reported to be affected from Grand to Wacker. We will continue to communicate as we learn more.”

news week independently confirmed by telephone with Accenture Tower that they sent the alert. The building is currently unlocked.

Trump Tower is located on North Wabash Avenue.

A resident identified as Steve, a Trump Tower resident, told WBBM radio that he wanted to get some fresh air and went downstairs to exit his building. He was asked by the police to stay away from the building for the time being.

Steve lives in Trump Tower. He says @WBBMNewsradio what happened when he went outside this morning.

Some residents are still not allowed to enter the building. Chicago police say they will make a statement shortly. pic.twitter.com/W0B5GrgZOK

— Rachel Pierson (@WBBMRachel) April 5, 2023

The number of homicides in Chicago hit a 25-year high of more than 800 in 2021, according to the Chicago Police Department. That number fell to 695 last year, and crimes like carjacking and robberies have also increased in recent years.

The progressive Brandon Johnson was elected the city’s new mayor on Tuesday, succeeding Lori Lightfoot after she became the first incumbent in four decades to lose a re-election bid because many saw it as a poor response to the city’s rise in crime .

Johnson, who was backed by the Chicago Teachers Union, has made statements about “defunding” police in the past. He defeated moderate Democrat Paul Vallas in a close race. Vallas was assisted by Chicago’s Lodge 7 of the Fraternal Order of Police.

This is an evolving story and will be updated as more information becomes available.