1 killed, 2 hurt in Bolingbrook WeatherTech warehouse shooting; offender in custody

A man was taken in custody after a shooting that left one person dead and two others injured Saturday morning inside the WeatherTech warehouse in Bolingbrook, officials said.

About 6:35 a.m. officers responded to a call of a shooting at 1 Weathertech Way and “immediately entered upon arrival,” Bolingbrook police said.

The offender fled the building but was taken into custody about 9:25 a.m. near the rear of a house in the 500 block of Larkspur Lane following a search of the building and surrounding area, according to Bolingbrook Police Chief Mike Rompa, adding that a handgun was recovered.

Near the end of an overnight shift, the offender, identified as a 27-year-old man from Chicago, was confronted by employees after he robbed two co-workers at gunpoint, Rompa said.

After an argument, the man pulled out a handgun and shot three employees, killing one of them, Rompa said, adding the shooting didn’t appear to be planned.

Central Hightower, 37, died from his injuries, Rompa said. A 25-year-old man who was one of the employees robbed was listed in critical condition, police said. The third victim, a 43-year-old man, has been released from the hospital.

The man in custody was with a temporary employment agency and assigned to WeatherTech since June 9.

“Our community has been shattered by yet another act of senseless gun violence,” U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., who represents south suburban Bolingbrook, said in a statement.

“No one should have to worry about random gun violence while going about their normal lives, and we cannot accept this as a new reality,” he added.

“While the details are still developing, it’s clear we owe a debt of gratitude to the law enforcement and first responders who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and run into harm’s way to protect innocent people.”

Rompa said, “On behalf of our mayor, Mary Alexander Basta, the Village of Bolingbrook, our police department and WeatherTech, our thoughts and prayers are extended to the victims and their families.”