Person questioned in Washington Heights off-duty officer shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are questioning a person of interest after an off-duty officer was shot during an attempted robbery in Chicago's Washington Heights neighborhood.

Investigators said Officer Stephen Boyd was parking his vehicle after work near West 101st and South Green streets around 2:20 a.m. Monday when two armed men walked up to the vehicle. The officer was in civilian clothes, so it's likely the two men who approached him and demanded money had no idea he was an off-duty officer who was carrying a gun. One robber stood next to the driver's side window and the other stood next to the passenger's side window and ordered Boyd to get out of the car and hand over money.

Boyd was shot in the right leg, but was able to return fire. Police said it is unclear whether either of the suspects was hit before they ran from the scene. Police are combing through area hospitals trying to find people that may have been shot.

The 49-year-old officer was rushed in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center and is expected to survive.

Boyd is assigned to the gang enforcement section and will be placed on administrative duties, which is routine after an officer-involved shooting.

Interim Police Superintendent John Escalante, who visited with the officer at Christ Advocate Medical Center Monday, said that officer will remain in recovery at the hospital for some time.

"He's in good spirits. He realizes how close it was, and it could've been much worse," Escalante said. "He started to comply with the robbery demands and became concerned when he heard one of them say 'shoot him.'"

Escalante says he doesn't know who shot first. People who live on the street describe a hail of gunfire erupting, then a man yelling for help.

"Heard someone calling two or three times, 'Someone help me, someone help me!' I wish I could've accessed my courage," said neighbor Eric Clark.