An undercover ATF operation in Country Club Hills turned violent Tuesday evening when a group tried to rob agents, leading to gunfire—then a Chicago police officer chased another vehicle and shot its driver. Both suspects were taken to hospitals in critical co
When a group tried to rob a vehicle carrying undercover Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents in Country Club Hills, it didn’t just set off a chase—it ended with two gunfire incidents and arrests, police oversight records say.
The sequence began Tuesday during a firearms trafficking operation in the southwest suburb. Around 5:30 p.m., several people approached a vehicle in the 18800 block of Loretto Lane, where the undercover ATF agents were operating, and attempted to rob them.
One of the ATF agents opened fire. hitting one of the robbers. the Civilian Office of Police Accountability said in a news release. A Chicago police officer detailed to a gang investigations unit with the agents witnessed the shooting. then chased the other assailants as they tried to get away in a vehicle.
As the flight unfolded, both vehicles eventually stopped. The release said both drivers got out, and the officer shot the other driver.
Both suspects who were shot were in critical condition. They were taken to hospitals, where their conditions were stabilized. The hospitals were also where the suspects were placed under arrest. A law enforcement officer was taken to a hospital for observation as well.
Three additional offenders were apprehended at the scene. The FBI and the Illinois State Police also were assisting with the investigation, according to the ATF.
The case is now sitting at the intersection of two separate uses of deadly force—ATF agent fire during a robbery attempt, and a Chicago police officer’s shooting moments later as both vehicles stopped and both drivers exited.
Country Club Hills ATF undercover agents Chicago Police Civilian Office of Police Accountability gang investigations unit firearms trafficking operation Loretto Lane FBI Illinois State Police shooting arrests
Undercovers getting robbed is like… come on.
So the ATF agent shot first then the Chicago officer shot the other one? Kinda sounds like everyone was just waiting to shoot each other. Critical condition but then stabilized?? Not sure how that works.
I read this as the officer chased the wrong car at first or something bc they “eventually stopped” and both drivers got out. Like if they were already getting away then why did the officer shoot when they stopped? Also ATF undercover in Country Club Hills feels like that’s asking for trouble.
ATF undercover agents tried to do a firearms trafficking operation and then got robbed, then police accountability records say the officer chased and shot… sounds to me like the whole thing was set up and somebody panicked. Like why were they in a residential block on Loretto Lane at 5:30 if it wasn’t already sketchy. And “three additional offenders” were just there too?? either way, Chicago cops be wild.