Chicago police officer Thomas Wortham, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, was shot and killed when several people approached him outside his family’s home and tried to steal his new motorcycle.
Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV was riding his motorcycle about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday no the south side when at least four offenders approached him and attempted to rob him of his motorcycle.
Police are investigating about 15 shell casings to determine how an exchange of gunfire betwen Wortham, his father and the offender occurred. While fleeing, the offenders ran over the officer. Wortham’s father — a retired Chicago police officer — shot two of the offenders. One of the offenders died from bullet wounds. Another offender was critically wounded. Thomas Wortham IV was pronounced dead just after midnight Thursday. Wortham, 30, had returned from a second tour of duty in Iraq in March.
At least one police vehicle crashed while escorting the CPD rescue ambulance that was transporting the fatally wounded police officer.
Four suspects are either dead or in custody. None of the offenders’ identities have been released by the police. One offender turned himself in at the 11th District — accompanied by his attorney.
Another suspect was a passenger that was trying to hide in a vehicle that was driven through a red light to attract police attention.