Cook County sheriff’s deputy killed in exchange of gunfire at Woodlawn gas station
A 31-year-old Cook County sheriff’s deputy was fatally wounded early Tuesday during an exchange of gunfire at a gas station in the Woodlawn neighborhood, authorities said.
Shortly before 1:30 a.m., the off-duty deputy was at a gas station in the 500 block of East 67th Street when he was approached by someone and an argument ensued. The person he was arguing with pulled out a handgun and opened fire before fleeing the scene on foot, police said.
Authorities later said it appeared that the victim was the target of an attempted robbery.
The victim suffered wounds to the chest and tried to drive away but struck a pole in the 6700 block of South Indiana Avenue. He was taken to UChicago Medicine, where he was pronounced dead, police said. The victim was identified as Rafael D. Wordlaw, of the city’s Englewood neighborhood, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
The Cook County sheriff’s office confirmed Tuesday that a deputy was killed in an exchange of gunfire in the overnight hours on East 67th Street.
“Sheriff’s office staff are with the Deputy’s family as well as with the Sheriff’s Office team to provide support and resources as they navigate this senseless tragedy,” the office said in a statement.
A preliminary investigation later determined the shooting was an attempted armed robbery, Chicago police said.
No one was in custody for the fatal shooting, and detectives are investigating.
