A 20-year-old man who allegedly pointed a gun at a police officer was fatally shot by police Saturday morning after a foot chase on the South Side, officials said.
Raason Shaw, of the 7800 block of South Merrill Avenue, pointed a .40-caliber handgun at an officer who was running after him in the 6200 block of South Rhodes Avenue in the Woodlawn neighborhood, officials said.
According to a statement issued by police, a Glock semi-automatic handgun with a laser sight and extended high-capacity magazine was recovered at the scene.
The officer was among two who at about 8:45 a.m. observed "a male subject conduct a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction on the 6200 block of South Eberhart," police said in a release.
After observing the alleged transaction, police approached the man, who fled on foot. During the chase, police observed the man running while "clutching an unknown object in his wasteband."
An officer confronted the man in a gangway between two buildings in the 6200 block of South Rhodes. There, the man was holding a handgun in his right hand and pointing it at the officer, refusing to drop the weapon after being ordered by an plain clothes officer, according to police.
After the man refused to drop the weapon, the officer fired after being in fear for his "safety and life," according to the police statement.
The incident drew a crowd of more than 100 into the street after the shooting, some of whom said they were friends or relatives of the man who was shot. Many were yelling and some fought. One man tore down yellow police tape. At least three were taken away in handcuffs.
Among the crowd was Sharon Shaw, who identified the victim as her son. She wept and hugged loved ones.
According to court records, Raason Shaw was found guilty Aug. 5 of a misdemeanor criminal trespass charge and was sentenced to one year conditional discharge which was set to expire on Sept. 15.
The Cook County medical examiner's office was notified of a death at the location, officials said.
The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the shooting, said spokesman Larry Merritt.
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McClatchy-Tribune News Service
