Man Shot and Killed by Off-Duty Police Officer in Mount Greenwood

CHICAGO, IL — A man was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer Saturday afternoon in Mount Greenwood.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed one fatality in the 11100 block of Troy on Saturday. Family has identified the victim as Joshua Beal, a 25-year-old from Indianapolis.

Initial reports from Chicago Police Department Public Information Officer Anthony Guglielmi indicated that the off-duty officer fired after first being fired upon around 3 p.m. near 111th and Troy.

Several other bystanders at the scene said the shooting was the result of a traffic altercation between the man and an off-duty police officer that took place during a funeral procession that was on its way to Mount Hope Cemetery on 115th Street.

One witness said multiple off-duty officers fired on the man after the off-duty officer's car interrupted the funeral procession.

"There were shots fired... all of them by police," he said.

According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, an off-duty firefighter saw the civilian vehicle involved blocking a fire lane near the fire house on 111th Street and informed the occupants of the violation.

"The occupants exited their vehicle and a verbal and physical altercation ensued," according to police. "An off-duty Chicago police officer was inside a nearby business when he heard the commotion and attempted to assist the firefighter."

That's when the man who was eventually killed was seen with a firearm in his hand, the statement said.

"As the incident continued to escalate and the offender failed to drop his weapon, shots were fired striking the individual multiple times."

Both the off-duty firefighter and off-duty police officer suffered non life-threatening injuries.

According to a witness who said he was part of the funeral procession and a friend of the man shot by police, the off-duty officer did not identify himself as one until after he drew the gun. The witness says the officer began firing when informed by the man that he too had a weapon.

The man who was shot was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Unconfirmed reports have indicated the hospital on 95th Street was placed on lockdown as the victim's family arrived.

111th Street east of Kedzie was closed to traffic for several hours and remained blocked off as late as 11 p.m.

Several witnesses were speaking to police when the investigation unfolded earlier in the day.

This story is developing. Check back for details.

Photos and reporting by Tim Moran