Charges in shooting
by CYRYL JAKUBOWSKI
Two men were charged after gunshots were exchanged with an off-duty police officer at about 7:20 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, in the 4500 block of North Kedzie Avenue, according to the Chicago Police Department Office of News Affairs.
An off-duty 19th (Town Hall) District sergeant was walking with several friends when the occupants of a passing vehicle instigated a verbal confrontation, according to police. The vehicle then pulled into a business parking lot and doubled back toward the group, police said.
One of the occupants of the vehicle fired shots at the 45-year-old sergeant and his companions, and the sergeant returned fire, striking the shooter in the head, after which the vehicle fled, according to police.
A short time later a man arrived at Swedish Covenant Hospital with a gunshot wound to his head, and officers wound a weapon on the hospital grounds, police said.
The suspects were identified by police as Fernando Brieto-Solano, age 22, and Juan Ramirez, age 22, both of the 2700 block of North Major Avenue. Brieto-Solan was identified as the person who allegedly fired the gun at the officer.
Ramirez was charged after he was identified as one of the occupants of the vehicle at the time of the shooting and as the person who hid the gun on hospital grounds. Both were charged with one count each of attempted first degree murder.
The sergeant involved will be placed on administrative duties for a period of 30 days, according to police.
