Chicago shooting: Tow truck driver shot, killed on Near West Side ID'd, officials say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A tow truck driver was killed after getting caught in crossfire on the Near West Side Sunday night, Chicago police said.

Police said as a 49-year-old man was driving a tow truck heading westbound, two vehicles began shooting at each other in the 1900-block of West Fulton Street around 10:45 p.m. The medical examiner later identified him as Hector Negron.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER | Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

Caught in between them, Negron was hit in the left armpit and crashed into a bus stop pole at the intersection of Fulton and Damen.

Colleague Edwin Rivera told ABC7 he's known Negron for 20 years, but he had only been working at ASAP Towing for two weeks.

"This guy is almost 50 years old and one of the most tremendous guys, stand up guys," Rivera said.

Rivera said he believed Negron was on his way home when the shooting happened.

"It can happen to you, it could happen to any of us right now," Rivera said.

Police said he was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition after the shooting, but he died at the hospital.

His former colleagues were shocked by the tragedy and are now concerned for their own safety, as well.

"I'm a grown man, but I gotta come out here and kind of ignore the fact that I'm a little scared to come out here because if not, I will be at home not making any money," Rivera said.

Police said they are still looking for the suspects as Area 3 detectives continue to investigate.