Attorney Claims Former Aramark Employee Uninvolved in UI Health Shooting

The Conflicting Accounts of a Shooting Incident Involving a UIC Employee

On Monday, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) police arrested a contracted employee after he got into a quarrel with a patient inside the lobby of the UI Health Outpatient Center. The incident occurred at the UI Health Outpatient Care Center located at 1801 W. Taylor St. The employee, identified as Glenn Rhymes, was working for Aramark, a third-party foodservice contractor.

According to UIC, Rhymes had a gun, which was confiscated during the incident. He was charged with entering a prohibited place with a gun, disorderly conduct, and aggravated assault using a firearm. All charges are considered misdemeanors. His Firearm Owners Identification Card was revoked, and he was released from custody. UIC reported that no one was injured during the initial confrontation.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn on Tuesday morning when UIC connected Rhymes to a double shooting that occurred early that day. According to police sources, the double shooting happened at 2:33 a.m. in the first block of North Lavergne Avenue. A black vehicle drove by, and four men inside opened fire. A 39-year-old man was shot multiple times, while a 35-year-old woman suffered a graze wound to the head. Both victims were taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County and are expected to make full recoveries.

The bullets shattered glass doors, and police sources said nearly 40 shots were fired. It has also been reported that the 39-year-old man who was shot also worked for Aramark, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

The Attorney’s Response and Confusion Surrounding the Case

The attorney for Rhymes, Denise Brewer, has denied any connection between her client and the double shooting. She stated that she is representing Rhymes and that police are no longer looking for him. “I don’t know what has happened since Monday — only that I got a call from Mr. Rhymes indicating that it's on the news that they reported looking for him for two shootings,” she said. “He knew nothing about it.”

Brewer was asked if Rhymes has an alibi for the time of the South Austin shooting. She responded that Rhymes doesn’t know where the shooting was. However, she emphasized that police have not issued any warrants or are actively seeking Rhymes.

Chicago police typically do not release names of suspects until they have been formally charged. While the department has not directly linked Rhymes to the shooting, sources have indicated that there is a connection. This has led to confusion and conflicting reports from different parties involved.

Ongoing Investigations and Uncertainty

UIC has not retracted any of its previous statements linking Rhymes to the double shooting. CBS News Chicago was waiting for the university's response to the attorney's comments as of late Wednesday. The situation remains unclear, with both sides presenting different accounts of events.

The case highlights the challenges law enforcement and institutions face when dealing with incidents involving employees of third-party contractors. It also underscores the importance of accurate reporting and transparency in such sensitive matters.

As the investigation continues, more information is expected to come to light. Until then, the public and media remain in the dark about the full extent of Rhymes' involvement and the true sequence of events leading up to the shooting.