A gunman described as a "disgruntled employee of an auto parts supply warehouse" shot sixpeople to death this evening before he was killed either by police or his own hand, authorities said.
Police tried to negotiate by telephone with the gunman but he "wanted no part of it" and police stormed the South Side facility, Windy City Core Supply Inc., where the shootingsoccurred, said police spokesman Mr Pat Camden.
The gunman, whose name was not released, "is a disgruntled employee who either had been terminated or was going to be terminated," Mr Camden said.
A spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed that seven people had died in the shootings. It was not clear whether the gunman was killed by police orturned his weapon on himself.
Witnesses reported hearing at least two bursts of gunfire. Police deployed snipers on nearby rooftops and evacuated the surrounding area.
Last week in Ohio, an automotive supply plant worker killed one co-worker and wounded two others before killing himself.