Chicago security officer shot multiple times while stopping a robbery
Chicago IL Sept 3 2022
A security officer who is also a retired police officer was shot at least six times while
trying to stop a robbery in progress, police said.
The attempted armed robbery at a South Side currency exchange was stopped by the retired Chicago police officer who was seriously wounded in a shootout with the suspects, authorities said.
The incident happened around 7:30 a.m. Thursday at 71st and Wentworth Avenue, where the retired officer was working as a security guard, police said.
Police said the shooting happened as a female worker was opening the business for the day. She was not injured.
“She was opening the exchange and they were trying to get inside,” said Deputy Chief Fred Melean.
Police say there was an exchange of gunfire, though it was unclear who fired first.
The 60-year-old retired officer was seriously injured after being shot multiple times and remains hospitalized at the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition.
Police are not releasing the retired officer’s name.
“The officer’s actions were heroic,” Melean said. “He did the best he could and he saved that person’s life.”
“The officer’s actions are heroic,” Deputy Chief Fred Melean said at a news conference.
It was not immediately clear who fired the first shot, Ahern said.
It is also not yet known if any of the would-be robbers were injured. The employee was shaken but not injured.
The would-be robbers fled in the vehicle, Ahern said.
