Loop CEO Dies From Injuries In July 31 Shooting
(CBS) – The downtown Chicago executive who was critically wounded by a co-worker over the summer has died.
Steven LaVoie, 54, succumbed to his injuries, his wife, Jody LaVoie, reported Monday on the Caring Bridge web page she has maintained since the shooting.
"I am writing to let you know that Steve's body has succumbed to his numerous injuries. I had truly hoped to tell a different story now about his recovery, and for so long I believed he would be with us again. But know that the man you all remember so dearly, fought so bravely. Steve brought great dignity and beauty to all of our lives these past months," Jody LaVoie wrote.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office says LaVoie died at 6:15 a.m. Monday at LaGrange Hospital, WBBM Newsradio's Steve Miller reports.
LaVoie was shot in the head by Tony DeFrances, a disgruntled colleague, on July 31 at the LaSalle Street offices of ArrowStream, a technology firm LaVoie founded. The company had recently undergone downsizing, and DeFrances, chief technology officer, had been demoted, authorities said.
At a meeting, DeFrances pulled out a gun, shot LaVoie in the head and abdomen, then took his own life. The shooting created chaos in the Loop, as first-responders and police swarmed the financial district.
"Steven loved to question the status quo," Frank Morgiewicz, CEO at ArrowStream, said in a prepared statement. "He inspired us to challenge ingrained mindsets and encourage new ways of thinking. His creativity and influence in the supply chain industry is felt in many circles, and is witnessed in the tremendous outpouring of goodwill as he fought to recover from his injuries."
In LaVoie's community of LaGrange, red ribbons decorated trees in honor of the husband and father.
Family friends Ingrid Kwak and Karin Teglia talked with CBS 2's Brad Edwards as rain fell.
"I feel like the rain is tears from heaven. I really do," Teglia said.
Recent reports indicated LaVoie's condition had been improving. Services are being planned for this weekend, his family said.
