MT. GREENWOOD — Five people at Lawlor’s Pub in Mount Greenwood were taken to hospitals Sunday afternoon after overdosing on drugs, witnesses and authorities said.
About 2 p.m. Sunday, a man who was at Lawlor’s, 3636 W. 111th St., told Block Club other bar patrons began falling, one by one. Several ambulances responded, the man said, and the victims were taken from the bar on stretchers.
The victims, five adults, were “stable” at area hospitals as of 5 p.m., said Paul Lea, Fire Department chief and spokesman. Police said crews responded to the bar because of several overdoses.
Five ambulances were initially called, but two additional ambulances were requested and responded to the scene, Lea said.
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Of the five hospitalized, three were taken to Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park and two were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The victims were men, 37, 41, 41, 42 and 46.
Scanner traffic indicated the hospitalizations were due to a possible fentanyl overdose.
Lawlor’s issued a statement Sunday evening:
“Lawlor’s is a small neighborhood establishment that’s been a member of the Mt. Greenwood community for 15 years. We are shocked and concerned about what took place this afternoon and are praying for the health and well-being of everyone involved. We are working with the Chicago Police Department during this active investigation.”
The bar was closed Sunday for the remainder of the day following the incident.
Officials from the DEA Chicago Field Division said in a statement the agency offers support to police departments in incidents like these.
“The DEA offers all possible requested resources to assist local law enforcement partners with investigations of mass overdose incidents,” the statement read. “This includes investigative support, as well as expedited access to chemists, forensic laboratories, overdose subject matter experts and specialized training.”
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