On Sunday, a group of South Chicago carjackers received the shock of their life when they sought to rob an innocent bystander. What was meant to be a quick payday quickly turned into a hospital visit and guaranteed jail time when the bystander turned out to be an off-duty correctional officer.

Driving down the alleyway of South Phillips Avenue, the 36-year-old officer says he was somewhat surprised when three males approached his vehicle. Their motives were apparent when one brandished a weapon, demanding the officer get out of the vehicle. Afraid for his safety, the officer told Chicago Sun-Times he refused, especially given the growing disdain for law enforcement among protestors.

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Without hesitation, shots were fired within proximity of the officer, yet he was not hit or injured. The officer quickly grabbed his weapon and returned fire, hitting the shooter in the groin and arm. The code among thieves was instantly forgotten as the two other robbers fled the scene, leaving the shooter and the .38 caliber pistol behind.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the scene where they arrested the robber and transported him to the nearest hospital for treatment. The suspect would later be identified as 19-year-old, David Hall. Although young, this isn’t the first time Hall and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office have met. According to them, Hall is already on parole for felony theft when he stole a television from a local pawn shop.

Adding to his resume, Hall will be charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted vehicular hijacking, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Each one of these charges comes with its own felony if convicted.

As for the city of Chicago, the police department says overall thefts have seen a 27% drop compared to numbers in 2019. But while robbery and theft might be declining, murder has risen by 52% in 2020 alone. Causing much concern, the Chicago Police Department ramped up its social media activity, hoping to stop crime before it happens.

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When speaking to reporters, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, David Brown discussed some of the tactics they are using to help protect the city. “We’ve increased our numbers on the street, on the ground, in our downtown area, in our neighborhoods. That’s the number one difference. We have extended hours that our officers work, we have extended the number of days they work in a week by canceling days off. So there is an increase of 1,000 officers above what would normally be here.”