3 gunmen, weapons drawn, confronted retired Chicago firefighter. He pulled out a revolver and was shot dead.
By ROSEMARY SOBOL
Dwain Williams, a retired Chicago Fire Department lieutenant, was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with carjackers on Dec. 3, 2020 in the 2400 block of West 118th Street.
Dwain Williams, a retired Chicago Fire Department lieutenant, was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with carjackers on Dec. 3, 2020 in the 2400 block of West 118th Street. (Family Photo)
Dwain Williams was walking toward his maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee when a black car slowed down and three people jumped out, all of them with guns.
As they walked toward him, the 65-year-old retired Chicago firefighter pulled a revolver from his
waistband and exchanged fire with them in the 2400 block of West 118th Street early Thursday afternoon. Williams was hit once in the abdomen and collapsed. The gunmen piled back into their car and sped off down Artesian Avenue.Responding officers found Williams lying on the pavement next to his Jeep, his revolver close by. It was not known if any of the attackers were hit, but police recovered shell casings from their guns: 9 mm, .40-caliber and .38-caliber.
Police believe the three were trying to steal Williams’ Jeep as he walked out of a popcorn shop about 2:30 p.m. No arrests have been reported, and police said they were canvassing the area for security camera footage that would show the gunmen.
Williams retired about two years ago after joining the Chicago Fire Department in 1992. His last assignment was at the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications. He held a concealed carry permit, according to police.
“Our hearts are heavy,” tweeted department spokesman Larry Langford.
Williams is survived by his wife of more than 30 years and four adult children. He died four miles from his home in the Longwood Manor neighborhood.
His wife is in “total shock,” according to community activist Andrew Holmes, who spoke on behalf of the family.
“All he does is help everyone,” Holmes said, quoting the wife. “Why did they take his life when all he did was save lives?”
Employees at Let’s Get Poppin’ said Williams was a regular. “He just came in to buy his popcorn,” one worker said.
As he walked to his Jeep, a black Ford Fusion passed him and slowed down. The shooting apparently happened so quickly that the car was still moving when the attackers jumped back in, according to a police report.
The attack occurred just blocks from a shooting in August at a pancake restaurant that left one person dead and four others wounded. Chicago police Chief of Operations Brian McDermott was asked by reporters what police are doing about crime in the area.
“We hear their concerns loud and clear,” McDermott said Thursday evening. “Just know there are hundreds of officers out there … that lay their lives on the line every day, and we’re continuing to do our job.”
He was also asked about a recent spike in carjackings across the city. “We’re well aware of the increase in carjackings,” McDermott said. “We’re doing our best.”
rsobol@chicagotribune.com
I will presume there is no real chance of arresting these assholes. We are too pussified, politically correct and outgunned.
Your correct they won’t find them. And we vote the same assholes in again and again.
ReplyDeleteThey gave the color of the car and wouldnt give the color of the shooters, sounds about right for liberal chicago news clowns
ReplyDeleteI heard they may have been North Korean. That does make allot of sense considering
DeleteKeep voteing Democrat. You better have a good supply of body bags. Outrageous
ReplyDeleteIn news accounts of shootings and assaults in recent weeks, areas in the vicinity of 120th and Halsted are frequently mentioned as crime troubleshoots. Looks like the beast from the east is moving west. And Western Avenue has been prime turf lately between car jackings from 100th Street and going south with incidents at 103rd and 111th. Seems we need the 8.5% Lori snatched from the 022nd district back. 245 homes in zip code 60643 and 103 currently on the market in 60655 according to Realtor. com. Crime and higher taxes are starting to outweigh unique architecture and friendly atmosphere. Hello Matt.
ReplyDeleteMore to the story......
ReplyDeleteLives don't matter to the Democrats, part of NWO. Elections have been rigged in this city for decades.
ReplyDeleteCleary the attackers were Mormons. Be aware of your surroundings and of "diversity."
ReplyDeleteDon't know if anyone else notices this, but it seems that every time there's a homicide, or a shooting, and the news story includes something about nobody being in custody, they always show about 10-15 coppers standing around the crime scene, talking with each other. Although they may be discussing motives, possible suspects, direction of flight of the offenders, to most people viewing the coverage at home it looks like they're just standing around bullshitting. And the frosting on the cake is when the story includes at tag line about the low percentage of cases solved or that there aren't any suspects.
ReplyDeleteOn top of all that are the fears of the large number of pending retirements which used to average about 600 per year and will probably more than double that in the coming year. And their replacements? Well the dwarf on the 5th floor cut 600 vacant positions and the Academy now boasts a new class of 24 police recruits. This city is so fucked.