Police Shoot Off-Duty Chicago Firefighter

July 11--An off-duty Chicago firefighter was shot by police this afternoon after he jumped out of a car and appeared to point a weapon at officers in a store parking lot in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood, authorities said.

The firefighter was in a shooting stance, holding a dark object in his hand, when he was shot about 12:45 p.m. at a CVS pharmacy at 103rd and Pulaski Road, officials said. The object turned out to be his wallet, according to Patrick Camden, a spokesman for the Fraternal Order of Police.

The man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition and was undergoing surgery, the hospital said. The hospital said his condition was stable. Officials earlier said he had died.

Officials also initially said the firefighter was shot after he opened fire on officers responding to a report of a man who was suicidal.

Giving an updated version, Camden said police had been notified by the man's wife saying he was depressed and she was worried for his safety because he had a gun. The firefighter was on medical leave and had been despondent in the past, Camden said.

Police were told the firefighter was either at a pharmacy on 111th Street or a pharmacy on 103rd Street, Camden said. When police did not find anyone fitting his description at 111th Street, they went to the CVS on 103rd Street and found him in the driver's side seat of his car, talking on the phone, Camden said.

Officers asked him to show his hands and get out of the vehicle, Camden said. The man made the sign of the cross and flung the door open and jumped out with his hands in a "combat position," holding a dark object appearing to be a gun, Camden said.

No gun was found on the scene, Camden said, but a gun was found at his home.

Records show the firefighter is also a paramedic and lives about two miles from the shooting.

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