1 dead, 1 wounded in shooting at Bank of America building in Chicago

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Thursday, July 31, 2014
1 dead, 1 wounded in Loop shooting
A man who had just been demoted at work shot the company's CEO before turning the gun on himself, CPD Supt. McCarthy said.

CHICAGO, IL -- A man who had just been demoted at work shot the company's CEO before turning the gun on himself, according to Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy. No one else was injured, and the scene is secure.

Tony DeFrances, 59, allegedly shot Steven LaVoie, 54, at the office of ArrowStream, which is located on the 17th floor of the Bank of America Building at 231 South LaSalle Street in Chicago's Loop, around 9:50 a.m. Thursday. The building was secured about an hour later and opened for business. Chicago police remain on the scene.

DeFrances, as identified by Tower Lakes Police Chief Samuel P. Sinacore, was pronounced dead at the scene. He had what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to initial reports.

LaVoie, of LaGrange, was transferred in critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital by ambulance. A neighbor confirmed LaVoie's wife was called to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Tony DeFrances, 59, (left) is shown in this photo from a speaker's lineup at a recent Chicago event. Steven LaVoie, 54, is shown in this photo from Twitter profile.

Tony DeFrances, 59, (left) is shown in this photo from a speaker's lineup at a recent Chicago event. Steven LaVoie, 54, is shown in this photo from Twitter profile.

McCarthy said DeFrances had been demoted from chief technology officer on Friday due to downsizing at ArrowStream, a food service technology supply company. DeFrances had scheduled a one-on-one meeting with LaVoie, ArrowStream's CEO, when shots were fired. LaVoie was hit in the head and stomach, police said.

"Ten witnesses up there who were on the floor are being interviewed," McCarthy said. No one was actually inside the room when the shooting occurred, he said.

Workers in the building were originally told to stay in their offices. They were given the all clear around 10:45 a.m. and streets around the building that had been closed reopened around 11:25 a.m.

The scene remains active, police said.

Chief Sinacore said he notified DeFrances' family and conducted a well-being check.