A woman who was shot in the leg during a White Sox game last year is suing the team and the Illinois agency that owns Guaranteed Rate Field, claiming negligence in enforcing security measures that could have prevented the incident.
The shooting occurred during the fourth inning of a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Oakland A’s on August 25, 2023. The 42-year-old woman was seated in the left-field bleachers in Section 161 when she was struck. A 26-year-old woman sitting nearby also suffered a graze wound to her abdomen.
Legal Action Filed
The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court by the plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe to protect her privacy. Her attorney, John J. Malm, announced the legal action in a news release, stating that the defendants—the Chicago White Sox and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority—failed to enforce the stadium’s firearm prohibition and neglected to protect attendees from foreseeable dangers.
Jane Doe is seeking more than $50,000 in damages for personal injuries and losses sustained as a result of the shooting.
Unclear Source of Gunfire
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. In September 2023, police reported that it was uncertain whether the gunfire originated from inside or outside the stadium. Malm’s statement claims that a firearm was brought inside the stadium and accidentally discharged, injuring his client, but he has not provided evidence to support this assertion.
When asked if detectives had determined the origin of the gunfire, Chicago Police spokesman Nathaniel Blackman declined to provide specific details, saying only that the investigation remains open.
Guaranteed Rate Field
The lawsuit highlights concerns over the security measures in place at Guaranteed Rate Field, specifically the enforcement of the stadium’s no-firearm policy. It argues that the failure to prevent the entry of a weapon into the venue posed a significant risk to fans, leading to the injuries sustained by the plaintiff.
