3 charged in Beverly shooting that paralyzed off-duty CPD officer

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Three men were charged Tuesday morning after an off-duty Chicago police officer was shot during an altercation on the Far South Side Saturday.

Demitrius Harrell, 28, of Chicago Ridge, Bryant Hayes, 22, of Chicago and Justen Krismantis, 22, of Chebanse, Illinois face weapons charges in connection with Officer Danny Golden's shooting.

Harrell was charged with unlawful use of weapon as a felon and aggravated discharge of a firearm; Hayes was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapon and aggravated discharge of a firearm; and Krismantis was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and obstructing an officer. Hayes and Krismantis are also charged with attempted murder.

Hayes was arrested about 6:40 p.m. Saturday in Forest Park; Krismantis was arrested about 9:20 p.m. Saturday in Oak Lawn; and Harrell was arrested about 1:15 p.m. Monday in Chicago Ridge.

All three appeared in court Tuesday and were ordered held without bond.

Prosecutors say Golden was at Sean Rhino's bar in Beverly early Saturday morning when a fight broke out between the three men charged and another group present. After the altercation spilled onto the street, Golden attempted to break things up while others gave chase to Krimantis, Hayes and Harrell.

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At some point investigators say the fighting ended, and those giving chase began to walk away, but Krismantis, who had retrieved a weapon from his vehicle, handed it to Hayes.

"Defendant Hayes then takes the handgun, points it in the direction of victim one and victim two and the others walking away. Hayes fires the automatic weapon which fired bursts of several bullets at a time," said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney James Murphy.

Prosecutors said 19 shell casings were recovered from the scene. Golden was struck in the back while a second man was shot in the leg.

Golden's loved ones have said it's a miracle he survived. He is now paralyzed from the waist down and recovering at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn.

Retired detective Patrick Golden, Daniel's father, said his family will have to adapt to the reality of paralysis, but he knows his son's determination and grit will serve him well.

"He's tough," Patrick Golden said. "He did four years in the Army, he has done six years with the Chicago Police Department. He's a tough kid. He is hanging in there."

Golden will be transferred to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in the coming days for physical therapy and rehab as he adjusts to his new reality. Tuesday he was wheeled out of the hospital for a brief visit with well-wishers.

"There had to be 200 people present, people from the neighborhood, Chicago police officers," Patrick Golden said. "His girlfriend was there and she brought the little go there, a little dog, Marilyn."

"Dan Golden is going to get back to his life. He's going to live his life and raise a family," said Liam Hopkins, family friend.

Golden's fiancee said a bullet lodged between his lungs and heart missed a valve by 1 millimeter. She said he is in good spirits as he recovers.

He was a 2009 graduate from St. Rita High School, and his younger brother just graduated in May. The school shared a heartfelt message from Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Tom Brady to Golden on its Twitter account.

The school will hold a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday for Golden.