Retired Chicago police sergeant shot at least 3 times, critically injured in North Center: officials

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A retired Chicago police sergeant was critically injured in a North Side shooting on Monday morning, officials said.

Police said the shooting happened at the busy North Center intersection of North Lincoln and West Berteau avenues just after 9 a.m.

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The retired sergeant, a 74-year-old man, was getting out of his Jeep Cherokee when two people opened fire, striking him at least three times, police said.

"You knew it was gunshots, because I heard, 'Boom, boom, boom.' I looked out the window to see what was going on," said neighbor Carol Palomar.

The victim, who lives nearby, was shot twice in the left arm and suffered a graze wound to the neck. He was taken in critical condition to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he underwent surgery.

Some residents saw two men fleeing the scene on foot. Although, one of them did not get too far.

The CPD SWAT team was brought in. About two hours after the shooting, exclusive video shows one man, who police say is a person of interest, being escorted out of a Lincoln Avenue store front and taken into custody just a few feet from where the retired sergeant was shot.

That man is being questioned.

"My understanding is that the SWAT team is continuing to conduct their investigation, looking for one other person," said 47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin.

The gunfire left shattered glass and multiple bullet casings on the scene.

What motivated the shooting is still unknown.

"I've spoken to CPD multiple times throughout the day. The investigation is continuing. Right now, they don't have any motive. They don't know if it was interpersonal, if it was an attempted robbery, attempted carjacking or something else," Martin said. "People are afraid. It's just the worst thing that can happen to any community and at a time of day where a lot of people are out and about."

Regardless of the motive, the shooting is jarring to the alderman and residents of this North Side neighborhood, one that rarely experiences gun violence, especially at 9 a.m. on a Monday.

"It scares the hell out of me. Too close to home. I've lived here for 48 years, and I've never seen anything," Palomar said.

The ABC7 Safety Tracker shows there has not been a homicide in North Center since 2021.

"I mean, this is a really quiet neighborhood, really family friendly, really nice," said North Center business owner Meg Biddle. "It was very surprising that this has happened here today."

Whether the second person sought by police is still at large or if they have been taken into custody is unclear.

"It was right after school drop off for one of our nearby schools so, it is the worst thing that can happen to a community, and we hope this neighbor pulls through," Martin said. "It's an absolutely horrific thing that happened, and that shouldn't happen anywhere, any time of day or night."

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