HollyMatkinChicago, IL – A Democratic ward committeeman, who is running for attorney general of Illinois, was robbed at gunpoint during a Thursday afternoon photo shoot, police said.
Aaron Goldstein, 42, was being photographed for his campaign in Albany Park at approximately 3:25 p.m. when the incident occurred, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Police said that Goldstein and his campaign team were approached by three men, and that one of the men had a handgun.
The robbers demanded that everyone turn over their cell phones, camera equipment, and other personal items, and the group complied. No one was injured, police said.
Investigators have not arrested any of the suspects, who were described as being between the ages of 20 and 24. No other descriptive details were provided.
Campaign manager Robert Murphy said that the promotional images they were taking were intended to convey a local, “in-the-neighborhood” message.
Not only is Goldstein a resident of the neighborhood where he was robbed, it also happens to be the ward he represents.
Police said that they do not believe Goldstein was specifically targeted by the suspects, Murphy told the Chicago Tribune.
“He says he’s fine, and he was concerned about everyone else instead of how he is – but that’s just how he is,” Murphy told the Chicago Tribune. “Basically, this was a totally random act of violence in the community. But when it happens to you, of course, you’re shooken up.”
Goldstein was formerly the supervising attorney for the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. In 2016, he became the 33rd Ward Democratic committeeman.
“Thank you all for your concern, well wishes, thoughts and prayers,” Goldstein wrote on his Facebook campaign page on Friday. “My team and I are all good.”
Goldstein is one of eight people who are seeking the Democratic nomination in the Illinois attorney general race.