Family remembers Navy Pier shooting victim as a 'caring, giving person'

The family of one of two men fatally shot by a “disgruntled employee” at Navy Pier is struggling to accept the loss of such a “caring, giving person.”

Lamont Johnson, 51, of Lansing, was identified as one of two men killed Tuesday afternoon in a shooting at the popular tourist attraction, sparking a lockdown as frantic patrons ran for cover in cars, back rooms and washrooms.

“He was just a fun guy to be around, he was a good guy,” his aunt Candy Johnson told the Sun-Times. “I'm stuck, all day I've been doing nothing because I can't get over it.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, investigators were still searching for the gunman, who is a former employee of a subcontractor at the pier and had been fired on Oct. 14, according to police officials.

Both Johnson and the second victim, who has not yet been identified, were employees of the Chicago-based hospitality company Levy.

“We’re absolutely devastated by today’s tragic events and the shocking loss of two of our family members,” the company wrote in a statement. “Our hearts break for their families and loved ones, whose lives are forever changed.”

Johnson had worked at Navy Pier for over a decade, according to his aunt and had built a good life for himself.

“He took care of his mother, he took care of his children, he was a family man,” Johnson’s aunt told the Sun-Times. “He was a caring person, a giving person. When he walked into a room, he always had a smile on his face... come to think of it, I never saw him angry.”

Johnson leaves behind three adult children, according to his aunt.

One of the children has been dealing with health issues and Johnson spent all of Friday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with that daughter, according to his aunt.

Days later he would be rushed into the same emergency room in critical condition.

It was about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday when paramedics were called to the pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., where they found the two wounded men outside, Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford said.

A security guard found Johnson and the other victim in a loading dock area, according to scanner traffic. There were shell casings surrounding them.

Both victims were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Police Supt. Larry Snelling said Tuesday the gunman was "disgruntled" after being fired. Oficials gave few additional details Wednesday.

"It's very early on in the investigation," said Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti when asked to elaborate on a motive during an unrelated media briefing at police public safety headquarters Wednesday, declining to say more "until they get him into custody."