Robbery suspect fatally shot by off-duty Cook County sheriff's deputy ID'd

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A suspected robber was fatally shot by an off-duty Cook County sheriff's deputy Wednesday afternoon at a beauty salon in Englewood, officials said.

Police said two men tried to rob the salon at 132 West 69th Street at 1:39 p.m., demanding property from the people inside.

The female Cook County sheriff's deputy discharged her weapon, shooting at least one of the suspects, a man in his late 20s, according to police and the sheriff's office.

The other robber escaped. It was not immediately known if he was also wounded. The sheriff's deputy was not injured.

Witnesses said they heard at least three shots, and it's unclear if it was just one gun being fired or if the would-be robbers were armed and a gunfight occurred.

People at the scene said the person who was fatally shot is a 17-year-old boy and CPS student. He was identified to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office as Rashad Wells, 17, of the 6900-block of South Harvard Avenue.

Relatives said Wells was walking home from the nearby CTA Red Line stop and lives in the neighborhood. His relatives don't believe he would have been involved in a robbery.

"He's a very familiar with the neighborhood, and just the idea of him robbing his neighbor when he's, when everyone knows him is cause for speculation, for pause," said Eric Russell, Tree of Life Justice League of Illinois.

The Chicago Police Department is handling the investigation and remain on scene as of 6 p.m.

Police may be looking at surveillance video from inside the salon, trying to piece together the events, but have not confirmed that.

The Chicago Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.