By Rosemary Sobol
Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — An off-duty Harvey police officer fatally shot a man who allegedly opened fire early Thursday inside a crowded south suburban bar, fled and then fired more shots through the tavern’s front window.
“The officer performed commendably,” Burnham Police Chief Peter Belos said. “The suspect had no regard for anyone’s life, and the officer prevented further death and injuries.”
More than 20 customers were in the Little Brown Jug in Burnham about 3:39 a.m. when the suspect opened fire and wounded one man, Belos said.
The gunman then began firing at the off-duty officer inside the bar after the officer identified himself. The gunman missed the officer, ran out the door and began firing rounds into the front window of the bar, Belos said.
The officer ran after him, and they exchanged gunfire. The officer struck the gunman several times, Belos said.
The gunman was taken to a hospital in nearby Hammond, Ind., where he was later pronounced dead. The Lake county coroner’s office in Indiana identified him as Ronnie C. Bobo, 34, who lived near the bar in Burnham.
The wounded man suffered superficial injuries and was released from an area hospital.
Police were looking for another man who was with Bobo in the bar. Detectives are reviewing videos taken from the bar, Belos said.
Belos said police do not know what prompted Bobo to start firing.
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