Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Shooting Off-Duty Chicago Police Officer During Robbery Attempt
A judge handed down a 20-year sentence to Chrishawn Thomas for shooting an off-duty Chicago police officer during a robbery attempt in June 2020. Thomas, 23, received an additional 15 years, to be served consecutively, for a separate carjacking case.
Thomas, who was already on electronic monitoring for a pending robbery case, and an accomplice followed the off-duty officer after he left work early on June 9, 2020. When the officer parked and exited his car in the 3900 block of South Artesian, Thomas approached him with a gun. The officer, in self-defense, fired back, resulting in Thomas being shot in both legs and the officer being shot near the knee.
Thomas sought treatment at a hospital shortly after the incident, where investigators were able to link him to the shooting through evidence found at the scene. He pleaded guilty to aggravated battery by discharging a firearm and was sentenced to 20 years by Judge Diana Kenworthy. He must serve at least 85% of the sentence.
In addition to the shooting, Thomas also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm for a May 30, 2020, incident in the 3100 block of South Wallace. Kenworthy imposed an extra 15-year sentence for that crime, to be served at 50%.
Prosecutors dropped the robbery case that Thomas was on electronic monitoring for, as well as a charge of possessing a weapon in a penal institution. With credits earned and anticipated, Thomas is expected to be eligible for parole in just under 20 years.
