03-06-2010, 03:24 AM
What was this guy on?
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A Waukegan police officer was lauded Friday for shooting a gunman who had randomly fired shots at pedestrians.
Police Chief Artis Yancey told reporters during a news conference the unnamed officer, a 29-year department veteran, "acted with great heroism" when he shot and killed David Melgoza during an exchange of gunfire in an alley about 1:13 p.m. Thursday.
"His training and experience helped to carry him through this ordeal," Yancey said. "He acted with great heroism to contain a threat upon the community."
The officer received a call that witnesses reported a gunman was firing at pedestrians at 8th Street between Jackson and Victory streets. The officer drove through an alley and encountered Melgoza, 25, of the 3200 block of Charleston, Waukegan, Yancey said.
Officials believe Melgoza shot first at the officer, who returned fire twice, grazing Melgoza's thigh with one shot but hitting him in the torso with the other, Yancey said. The second shot killed Melgoza.
Yancey said it is unknown how many times Melgoza fired at the officer, but numerous shell casings were recovered at the scene from Melgoza's semiautomatic handgun.
Melgoza was taken to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead, said Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller.
Yancey said witnesses told investigators Melgoza yelled at passing cars and pedestrians before firing a shot at a random person near 8th and Jackson. Melgoza then calmly walked away and fired two more shots at people in the east alley of the 800 block of South Jackson before the officer arrived, Yancey said.
No one was injured in the random shootings, Yancey said.
"We don't know or can confirm the shooter's motivators," he said. "But, we know he was taking shots at people coming by."
The officer was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for precautionary reasons, Yancey said. The officer was not injured and has since been released.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, which is routine in all police-involved shootings, Yancey said. The shooting is under investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=363839">http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=363839</a><!-- m -->
A Waukegan police officer was lauded Friday for shooting a gunman who had randomly fired shots at pedestrians.
Police Chief Artis Yancey told reporters during a news conference the unnamed officer, a 29-year department veteran, "acted with great heroism" when he shot and killed David Melgoza during an exchange of gunfire in an alley about 1:13 p.m. Thursday.
"His training and experience helped to carry him through this ordeal," Yancey said. "He acted with great heroism to contain a threat upon the community."
The officer received a call that witnesses reported a gunman was firing at pedestrians at 8th Street between Jackson and Victory streets. The officer drove through an alley and encountered Melgoza, 25, of the 3200 block of Charleston, Waukegan, Yancey said.
Officials believe Melgoza shot first at the officer, who returned fire twice, grazing Melgoza's thigh with one shot but hitting him in the torso with the other, Yancey said. The second shot killed Melgoza.
Yancey said it is unknown how many times Melgoza fired at the officer, but numerous shell casings were recovered at the scene from Melgoza's semiautomatic handgun.
Melgoza was taken to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead, said Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller.
Yancey said witnesses told investigators Melgoza yelled at passing cars and pedestrians before firing a shot at a random person near 8th and Jackson. Melgoza then calmly walked away and fired two more shots at people in the east alley of the 800 block of South Jackson before the officer arrived, Yancey said.
No one was injured in the random shootings, Yancey said.
"We don't know or can confirm the shooter's motivators," he said. "But, we know he was taking shots at people coming by."
The officer was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for precautionary reasons, Yancey said. The officer was not injured and has since been released.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, which is routine in all police-involved shootings, Yancey said. The shooting is under investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force.