Retired Chicago Firefighter Shot Dead In Carjacking Attempt: CPD

CHICAGO —Dwain Williams, a retired Chicago firefighter, was fatally shot in an attempted carjacking Thursday afternoon, police said.

Around 2 p.m., Williams, 65, was approached by four men in a dark-colored sedan outside a gourmet popcorn store near West 118th Street and Western Avenue in Morgan Park, according to Chicago police chief of operations Brian McDermott, who held a news conference shortly after the shooting.

One of the men shot Williams in the stomach after demanding the keys to his Jeep Grand Cherokee.

McDermott said Williams pulled out his own gun and fired at his attackers, who fled west on 118th street in their car. It's not clear if any of the attackers were stuck.

Williams was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m., police said.

Detailed descriptions of the attackers or their vehicle were not available. Police are looking for video of the incident and are asking any witnesses to contact police at cpdtip.com.

The Chicago Fire Department confirmed Williams' identity Thursday night, saying he joined the department in 1992 and retired as a lieutenant from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications just two years ago.

Williams was married with four children, a talented musician and active member of his church, according to ABC 7.

His body was transferred from Christ hospital to the Medical Examiner's office with a police and fire honor escort.

Nineteenth-ward Ald. Matt O'Shea, who represents the Southside neighborhood where Williams was killed, told WGN that Williams was a "hero."

"What a tremendous loss, in his retirement, stopping to support a local business, to be gunned down in another senseless act of violence," O'Shea said.

In a tweet, the Chicago Police department expressed solidarity and said its officers are "resolute in finding those responsible."

Carjackings have spiked across the city this year, with more than 1,236 reported as of Thursday, according to police department data. Only about 4 percent of those cases have led to an arrest.