An off-duty police sergeant working as a private security guard was shot and wounded Monday in an altercation at a southwest suburban trucking company in Oak Lawn. The sergeant, who has not been named, reportedly stepped into an argument between employees at the business on the 10800 block of South Central Avenue, which escalated to a dangerous level when an employee took out a semi-automatic handgun and opened fire, Chicago Tribune reported.
The suspect managed to discharge five rounds, hitting the sergeant twice in his bulletproof vest and once in the leg before his weapon jammed. Amid the chaos, another security officer at the scene fired at least one shot at the gunman but it is not clear whether they hit the shooter. Dajuan Morgan, an employee at the trucking company, said he heard at least four shots before witnessing the off-duty sergeant and other employees take down the man and according to statements he made in an interview with ABC7 Chicago, "He was still coherent. He was talking. He knew he was shot, but he was still on the suspect and after he got up I was like, 'You okay? Let me help you secure him,'" showing the quick response of those present during the frightening incident.
The injured sergeant managed to apply a tourniquet to his wounded leg before being rushed to Christ Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the second officer sustained minor injuries but did not seek medical attention, ABC7 Chicago reported. The suspect was subdued and taken into custody, and Oak Lawn Police said they are working with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office to pursue charges.
As the scene was secured and evidence collected, a nearby high school went into a shelter-in-place order, and the superintendent of Community High School District 218 said in a statement, "Harold L Richards High School worked with our local police to ensure the safety of our kids, we immediately went into shelter in place, Our thoughts and prayers go out to the police officer involved in this unfortunate incident, Thank you to the Oak Lawn police for always going above and beyond for community, students and staff."
