The family of a man who was shot to death at Navy Pier last November has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging the shooter intended to harm him.
Peter Jennings was one of two men killed Nov. 5, 2024.
Raylon East, a 36-year-old South Shore resident, is facing two counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony unlawful use of a weapon.
East was fired from his job at Levy Restaurants at Navy Pier in October. Jennings worked for Levy as a purchasing manager. East’s disciplinary records from his two years at the Chicago-based hospitality firm showed “multiple acts of aggressive behavior,” with a history of verbal and physical altercations with coworkers.
On Nov. 5, prosecutors say East wore a cook’s uniform and entered Levy’s administrative offices through the back door near the loading docks at Navy Pier looking for Lamont Johnson, another employee.
East allegedly shot both Jennings and Johnson in the head before fleeing. He turned himself in to police two days later and identified himself in video and photos from along his route to and from Navy Pier.
East is currently in custody awaiting trial.
The Jennings family’s suit names East and Compass Group USA, which owns Levy Restaurants, and Navy Pier as respondents in discovery — indicating they may have information crucial to the case.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges that East “knowingly and intentionally made harmful and offensive contact” with Jennings using a gun.
The lawsuit also claimed that Jennings’ family has suffered significant financial and emotional losses due to his death, including the loss of support and companionship, as well as grief, sorrow and mental anguish.
“When a life is taken so violently and so publicly, our legal system must respond accordingly,” the family’s attorney, Patrick Salvi, of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, said in a statement. “While nothing will fill the void the hearts of Peter’s loved ones, the filing of this lawsuit is a step toward justice for the family and will expose any failures that allowed this tragedy to occur.”
Navy Pier officials said they were unable to comment on the lawsuit due to ongoing legal proceedings. Levy Restaurants could not be reached for comment.
East had previously been sentenced to eight years in prison on an aggravated robbery conviction.