'Disgruntled Employee' Arrested After Shooting Oak Lawn Cop: Police

OAK LAWN, IL — An employee at a trucking company was taken into custody after he shot an Oak Lawn police officer who was there working for a private security firm multiple times , police said.

Shortly after noon, Oak Lawn police responded to calls of a person shot at MN89, a trucking company in the 10800 block of South Central Avenue. After arriving on the scene, officers learned that the gunshot victim was an off-duty Oak Lawn police sergeant.

During the preliminary investigation, police learned the shooter was an employee of the business. The employee arrived at the trucking company and became involved in a verbal dispute with other employees moments before shots were fired, according to police.

The off-duty sergeant and a second armed security officer were within earshot of the verbal dispute. The disgruntled employee turned away and walked in the opposite direction before removing a semi-automatic handgun from his coat, an OLPD news release said.

Police said the employee chambered a round and turned toward the off-duty police sergeant. A second armed security officer was able to fire at least one round at the man, who police allege was attacking the off-duty sergeant.

The employee shot five rounds at the off-duty officer’s chest, striking the officer’s Kevlar vest, police said, before firing another round that struck the officer’s leg. During the attack, the employee’s gun jammed, giving the sergeant time to defend himself and others, according to police.

With the assistance of others at the scene, police said the sergeant and second security officer were able to physically subdue the employee, before placing him into custody.

After being attacked and shot, the police sergeant applied a tourniquet to his injured leg and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was treated and released. The second security officer suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment.

Out of an abundance of caution, Richards High School nearby was placed on a shelter-in-place order for 20 minutes. Students and staff were able to move around the building, but no one was permitted to leave or enter the building.

“The offender in this violent encounter is in our custody. Detectives will be going through all of the evidence and working with the Cook County State's Attorney’s Office on charges. This is an active investigation and no further details will be released until its conclusion and the filing of any criminal charges,” Oak Lawn police said in a written statement.