Man Found Dead In Parking Garage Stairwell At Old Orchard Mall

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Skokie police are investigating the death of a body found in the stairwell of a parking structure at Westfield Old Orchard Mall Saturday.

At 1:33 p.m., a mall employee called to report an unresponsive man found bleeding from the head on the ground of a parking garage stairwell, police said. It's unclear if the man was shot in the parking garage or at another location and brought there. It is also, at the moment, uncertain how long the man was there before his body was discovered.

According to a press release from Skokie police, Skokie Emergency Personnel found 34-year-old Eric P. Cybak deceased upon arrival.

CBS 2 learned that a man with the same name and date of birth was arrested May 6th in Carson County, Texas and charged with a felony possession of marijuana. Authorities seized 51 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $300,000. Skokie police are not confirming if this is the same individual discovered in the parking structure.

An autopsy is being conducted by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, but preliminary results indicate the victim died of several gunshot wounds.

Police said the investigation indicates the homicide was not random, and that the shopping center was not specifically targeted as a location for the crime. It's unclear if there is surveillance video in the stairway. A mall employee CBS 2 spoke with does not recall seeing cameras in the past.

Authorities said they do not believe there is a remaining safety risk to the public as a result of the incident.

A mall employee said people started panicking once the news got out. "We just tried to keep everyone calm and let them know that the situation is under control -- we do have the police taking care of everything," Samandra Chimon said.

The North Regional Major Crimes Task Force (NORTAF) is assisting in the investigation, the press release said. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police at (847) 982-5900 or text the 24-hour Skokie Crime Tip Hotline at 847/933-TIPS (8477).

The parking garage, which is near Macy's and Bloomingdale's, has been shut down for the investigation.

This story is developing... check back for updates.