Police: Four Chicago train deaths appeared to have been asleep before shooting

Four people who were shot dead on a commuter train in the Chicago area early Monday were apparently attacked while they were sleeping, police said in an afternoon update.

The victims, whose names, ages and genders have not yet been released, appeared to be sleeping, sitting separately and offering no resistance, Forest Park police said, citing surveillance footage.

A suspect was arrested and a weapon was seized, Forest Park Deputy Police Chief Chris Chin said at a press conference.

The motive remained unknown. The name of the arrested person was not disclosed.

“This seems to be an isolated incident on this unfortunate day,” Chin said. “It's a terrible situation.”

The department received a 911 call around 5:27 a.m. about victims with gunshot wounds on a Chicago Transit Authority train at the Blue Line station at 711 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, it said on Facebook.

Police found four people with gunshot wounds. Three were pronounced dead at the scene, and the fourth died at Loyola University Medical Center, police said.

All four victims were passengers, Chin said at the press conference.

The shooting took place in two train carriages, Chin said at the press conference. The train was moving when the shots were fired, he said.

The suspect, whose description was confirmed by surveillance video, was found on a Pink Line train, police said. NBC Chicago reported that Chicago police found the suspect when officers noticed a passenger who matched the description of the shooter.

Forest Park police said in the update that investigators were also trying to locate a person they believe witnessed the attack.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) called the shooting a “heinous and egregious act of violence” that should never have happened on a public train.

“As soon as this incident was reported, the CTA immediately deployed resources to assist Forest Park Police with their investigation, including reviewing all possible surveillance camera footage, which proved vital in assisting local law enforcement,” the CTA said.

The CTA said it will continue to work with local police in investigating the shooting.

“Surveillance video is critical to many of our investigations,” said Chin of Forest Park police, “especially this case.”

Forest Park is located 10 miles west of downtown Chicago.