CHICAGO — An off-duty police officer shot a man trying to break into his Roseland home Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden said the officer was at home in the 9600 block of South Princeton Avenue with his 7-year-old daughter when someone rang the doorbell shortly after noon.
The officer didn't answer the door, believing it to be a solicitor. He saw a van parked in front of his home drive away, Camden said.
A few minutes later, the officer saw the van pull up to the side of his home, which he thought unusual, Camden said. Then he heard a noise at the front door. Someone had pried open the security door, and was working on breaking into the home, Camden said.
While this was happening, the officer called police and informed them a home invasion was occurring. Camden said the officer told his daughter to go to her room and wait for him there.
At this point the front door was slowly being pushed in, "so now he knew he has to take action," Camden said. The officer went out the front door towards the front of the house.
As he walked around the house, one suspect ran north down Princeton, and another ran past the officer into the van, pointing a gun at the officer, Camden said.
"In fear for his safety and his life," the officer fired at the suspect, police said. striking him in the back, and the van took off.
"Fortunately, the officer called 911 and there was a [tactical] car from the 5th District responding," Camden said.
Police pursued the van to 89th Street and Yale Avenue, where it crashed, Camden said. Two people were taken into custody, he said. The wounded man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in serious condition.
The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the incident. Charges are pending against the two suspects in custody.
