Off-duty Oak Lawn police sergeant shot 5 times after employee argument; offender in custody

OAK LAWN, Ill. - An off-duty Oak Lawn police sergeant was shot five times near Richards High School Monday afternoon.

Shortly after noon, the Oak Lawn Police Department responded to calls of a person shot at a business located in the 10800 block of South Central Avenue.

When officers arrived at the scene, they learned that the gunshot victim was an Oak Lawn police sergeant, who was working for a private security firm at the time of the incident.

It was determined that the offender was an employee of the business and became involved in a verbal dispute with other employees, police said.

The off-duty sergeant and a second armed security officer were close to the dispute. At one point during the argument, the offender turned and walked in the opposite direction, removed a semi-automatic handgun from inside his coat pocket, chambered a round and turned to engage with the sergeant.

The second security guard fired at least one round at the offender, who was now attacking the sergeant, police said.

The offender was able to fire five rounds, striking the sergeant multiple times in his Kevlar vest and one round through his leg.

During the attack, the offender's gun jammed, which allowed the sergeant and the second security officer to subdue the offender. He was then placed in custody with the help of other people at the scene. 

After the attack, the sergeant was able to apply a tourniquet to his injured leg and was transported to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries.

The second security officer sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment.

Police said this is an active investigation and no further details will be released until its conclusion and the filing of any criminal charges.