Shots Fired as Suspects Rob South Suburban Tavern

“It could have been a blood bath,” said tavern manager Jackie Leepers

Two armed men robbed a bar in south suburban East Hazel Crest Thursday night with several people inside, officials said.

Police said Beano’s Tavern, at 17308 S. Fisk, was robbed around 9 p.m. by two armed men who ordered patrons of the bar to get on the floor as they demanded money.

“He said for everyone to get on the ground and I saw the gun,” said witness Kathleen Kelly.

Police said the suspects were wearing dark-colored hoodies and jeans and one of the men wore a white mask that covered a portion of his face.

An off-duty officer at the scene chased after the suspects and fired shots, according to authorities. No injuries were reported and the suspects fled in what was described as a dark-colored four-door Audi, which may have sustained some damage during the shooting, said Sergeant Robert Wasek.

“I thought it was a joke until he said, ‘Everybody down,’” said bartender Lindsay Kosinski. “The minute they got money they were in the car driving off.”

Officials said nine people were inside the tavern at the time of the robbery, but that no shots were fired inside the building.

Witness Bill Worley said he immediately ran for the side door at the establishment.

“If you’re going to shoot me, shoot me running,” said the 70-year-old regular at the bar. “I’m too old to do that, been through too much stuff.”

Kosinski said she hit the panic button at the bar when she heard shots fired outside.

“It could have been a blood bath,” said tavern manager Jackie Leepers. “If [Kosinski] didn’t handle as she did it could have been much worse.”

The tavern was back open Friday, but employees say it won’t be quite the same.

“It could have been a lot worse than it was,” said Leepers.

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