Authorities late Tuesday released a sketch of a man with whom they want to speak in connection with the shooting of a driver in unincorporated Lemont on Monday.
Cook County Sheriffs deputies said the man in the sketch shot another driver in the stomach after he was cut off on the road. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. Monday somewhere between Archer Avenue and 14th Avenue.
A man in his 50s was on his way to work, heading east on 107th Street in a dark-colored Buick LaCrosse. The victim told police he accidentally cut off a gray or silver pickup truck, then pulled over to apologize to the other driver.
"He mistakenly cut an individual off," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said. "When he did that, he saw the individuals behind him, pulled over to apologize to them."
"Unfortunately this individual had something else in mind," Dart said.
The other driver exited the vehicle and, after an exchange of words, shot once, police said. The shooter hit the victim in the abdomen while the man was sitting in his car.
Sheriff's police confirmed the victim called 911 to report he'd been shot. Lemont Fire Protection District paramedics rushed him to Advocate Christ Hospital where he remains in stable condition Tuesday.
Cook County Sheriff's Police passed out fliers in the area Thursday to try and find the shooter.
"It's somebody who obviously is a very dangerous individual who we would like to apprehend as soon as possible, because this is pretty extreme behavior," Dart said.
Dart said he remains confident that given the hour of the shooting and the frequency of traffic, someone must have seen the incident.
The man in the sketch is described as being between 20 and 30 years old with an olive complexion.
Anyone with information should call authorities at 847-635-1188.
