Police officer shot, seriously hurt outside pub in west suburban Cicero; 2 people detained
CICERO, Ill. (CBS) — A potential parking violation somehow escalated into a shooting that sent a Cicero police officer to the hospital overnight. Two people were in custody.
The shooting happened outside of Nikki's Pub and Gaming just before 1 a.m. in the area of 35th Street and 61st Court, prompting a heavy police and helicopter response.
Cicero Police said two plainclothes officers approached a vehicle after noticing it illegally double parked on the roadway. That's when an individual fired shots.
One of the officers, a 29-year-old man, was struck in the back and taken to Loyola Hospital in serious condition, where it was stabilized. The second officer was not hurt. The back window of an unmarked squad car, a Ford Expedition, was also found shot out.
The officers quickly requested assistance and provided information regarding the shooting, police said.
Responding officers identified two individuals who were detained as they attempted to flee the scene. However, the connection between the individuals and the shooting remains under investigation, police said. The shooting did not involve the pub.
"This violent act underscores the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day while they work to protect the community," said Superintendent Thomas P. Boyle. "The Cicero Police Department is committed to holding those responsible accountable and ensuring the safety of both police officers and residents."
Aaron Salgado, who lives nearby in neighboring Berwyn, said it was alarming to hear an officer had been shot.
"Two a.m., you know, you're hearing choppers, you're looking out, and they're just all over the place, and then you come to find out there's a shooting," he said. "It's shocking. I've lived in Cicero for 23 years, and I lived in Berwyn for the past four, and this is the first time I've actually heard someone shooting at the cops in this area, you know?"
Jorge Contreres lives at the intersection where the shooting happened, and heard about six shots. Looking out the window afterwards, he didn't realize the victim was a police officer.
"Now that I found out it was a police officer, I'm like, 'Wow. This is really serious,'" he said. "Hopefully he's okay. It's very unfortunate that happened to him, especially when he might've been undercover without uniform. So, yeah, it's just bad."
A worker at a local bar near the intersection said their staff is hoping the best for the officer, and helping by providing any evidence they have. But as they set up for a Christmas party Saturday night, they called in security earlier than usual.
Contreres said he now doesn't feel as safe after the shooting.
"Usually, this part of town is a little safer; more senior citizens live around here. And I just feel like it's attracting bad vibes, bad people, you know?" he said
The injured officer has been on the job for just under five years. He and his partner were working in the department's special operation division in civilian clothes at the time.
The department said they will provide further updates as the officer's recovery progresses. Investigation into the shooting remains ongoing with assistance from the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Cicero Police Department Detective Division or the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation.
