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FOX 32 NEWS - A robbery suspect picked the wrong retiree to try and stick up, and he wound up getting shot Wednesday morning.
As it turns out, the intended victim was former Chicago Police Deputy Chief of Detectives Fred Coffey, who was also shot.
“He's better, he's better, he's resting right now,” said his son, also named Fred Coffey.
73-year-old Fred Coffey, who retired 10 years ago, was shot in the shoulder during an attempted robbery at Eckersall Stadium in the South Chicago neighborhood where he regularly went to walk the track with friends and do pushups to stay fit.
The elder Coffey took shelter behind a pillar and returned fire after being shot. The 21-year-old suspect was shot in the leg.
Coffey's son, a 14 year police veteran himself, got the call and rushed to the scene with his mind racing.
“Just getting there, making sure he was okay, find out what's going on, how's he doing, how bad is it,” said the younger Coffey.
A woman who lives nearby heard the shots.
“I heard like five or six gunshots over at the park and I thought it was some of the younger guys on the basketball court, you know, arguing or having a gang rivalry as usual,” said neighbor Erika Hardy.
Former Deputy Chief Coffey, who served 40 years on the force, has never had to shoot anyone and was never shot himself, according to his son.
“He's outstanding man. I think I came out alright, he raised me, he served this city for 40 years, decorated, I don't believe there's a person here in this city who can speak badly of him,” Coffey said, adding that he wasn't surprised his dad simply got treated at the hospital and then went home.
“He's always been the toughest guy in the world to me.”
Charges against the would-be robber are pending.
“Gun offenders in Chicago do not discriminate,” Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said in a statement.
“Their reckless conduct and lack of respect puts families, public servants and anything that stands in their way at risk. Enough is Enough. Retired Deputy Chief Coffey was a great police officer and public servant to the people of Chicago and I am glad he is okay. I will continue to fight hard for better laws to keep repeat offenders behind bars and I’m asking Chicago to help by giving CPD the tools to keep our community safe,” Johnson said.