A former Chicago deputy police chief was shot and returned fire at his attacker during an attempted robbery on the city's South Side Wednesday, according to police.
The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. near the intersection of 81st Street and Essex Avenue in the South Chicago neighborhood, officials said.
The former officer, 73, was walking with a friend when a 21-year-old man approached and held them up at gunpoint, according to police. He was shot in the shoulder, authorities said, and returned fire, striking the offender.
The retired officer was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and was listed in stable condition, police said.
The suspect was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, police said. He was listed in stable condition but further information on his injuries was not immediately available.
"Gun offenders in Chicago do not discriminate. Their reckless conduct and lack of respect for humanity puts families, public servants and anything that stands in their way at risk," Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said of the shooting.
"Enough is enough. Retired Deputy Chief Coffey was a great police officer and public servant to the people of Chicago and I am glad he is okay. I will continue to fight hard for better laws to keep repeat offenders behind bars and I'm asking Chicago to help by giving CPD the tools to keep our community safe," he added.
