Gunman Who Shot 3 Cops Says He Thought They Were Gang Members

Chicago, IL – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced charges on Thursday against a gunman who admitted to police that he shot three undercover officers on Wednesday because he thought they were his competition.

The incident occurred just before 5:50 a.m. on July 7 near the Chicago Police Department’s 22nd District police station near 119th Street and the ramp onto Interstate 57, the Associated Press reported.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown told reporters at a press conference after the shootings that the three law enforcement officers were in an unmarked, undercover vehicle when they were shot.

Prosecutors said on July 8 that the undercover officers – two of whom were agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and one who was a Chicago police officer – noticed a white Chevy Malibu following their vehicle, WLS reported.

The criminal complaint said the Malibu pulled up next to the undercover vehicle and 28-year-old Eugene “Gen Gen” McLaurin opened fire on the officers.

One ATF agent was shot in the hand, the other was shot in the torso, WLS reported.

The Chicago police officer sustained a graze wound to his head.

McLaurin abandoned the white sedan after he shot the officers, WLS reported.

But he left his ID in the car and it was quickly found by investigating officers.

Prosecutors said that when police caught up with McLaurin, he admitted he had shot the officers, WLS reported.

“He acknowledged he was the driver of the vehicle and he fired the shots,” John C. Kocoras, the First Asst. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District Illinois, told reporters.

The criminal complaint said McLaurin admitted to police that he used a 9 mm Glock pistol to shoot at the undercover vehicle, WGN reported.

He told police that he thought the undercover officers in the white Chrysler 300 were rival gang members.

“McLaurin stated that he began following the Chrysler because he believed that it was a vehicle driven by ‘opps,’ referring to members of a rival street gang,” the complaint read. “Specifically, McLaurin explained that on or about July 6, 2021 — the day before the shooting — a friend told McLaurin that there was a white Chrysler 300 surveilling the area.”

Feds say the man charged with shooting 2 ATF agents and a CPD officer yesterday told investigators that he thought he was shooting at a rival gang. pic.twitter.com/LnkciOkCKq

— Sam Charles (@samjcharles) July 8, 2021

He told detectives that he bought the gun a few months ago to use for personal protection, WGN reported.

McLaurin told police that he dropped the gun down a storm drain after he shot the officers, according to the criminal complaint.

All three wounded officers were transported to the hospital, treated, and later released, WLS reported.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged McLaurin with one count of using a deadly weapon to assault a special agent, WGN reported.

However, prosecutors made it clear the investigation was ongoing and that the admitted gunman would face additional charges in the coming days.

Sources said police were still investigating the possibility of a second suspect, WGN reported.

“All those who terrorize the community using gun violence will be held accountable,” ATF Special Agent-in-Charge of Chicago Field Division Kristen deTineo said. “Let me be clear: we are in the fight against gun violence together.”

Cook County court records showed that McLaurin pleaded guilty in the past to gun and drug charges, WGN reported.

His criminal history, which goes back to 2014, also included domestic battery charges.

McLaurin appeared in court on Wednesday and was held without bail, WLS reported.