Man charged with hate crime in pellet gun shooting, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man accused of impersonating a Chicago police officer and shooting another man with a pellet gun is now charged with a hate crime.

Investigators say Michael Groh, 45, got into an argument with the victim Friday at a bar in the city's Belmont Gardens neighborhood.

Groh reportedly asked the victim for his citizenship status and nationality before allegedly shooting him in the head twice with a pellet gun, police said.

Groh was allegedly carrying two badges and handcuffs and was telling people he was a Chicago police officer, officials said.