Five evidence markers could be seen in front of the Design Within Reach store, where a security detail for the Harvey mayor opened fire on an attempted robber Wednesday afternoon. Credit: Jake Wittich/Block Club Chicago

OLD TOWN — The security detail for the mayor of south suburban Harvey shot at someone during an attempted armed robbery Wednesday afternoon at a busy Old Town intersection, officials say.

Harvey Mayor Christopher J. Clark was in a car with his security guards when they saw someone in a black ski mask getting out of a Jeep with black-tinted windows and pointing a gun around 1:55 p.m. near the intersection of North Avenue and Halsted Street, according to a statement from Clark’s chief of staff, Corean Davis.

An 86-year-old man was being robbed at gunpoint when one of Clark’s guards saw what was happening and intervened, Chicago police said.

Clark’s guard got out of the car “in an effort to protect the mayor,” and the masked man turned toward the security detail with his gun pointed, Davis said.

The guard fired his gun at the man in the ski mask, striking his vehicle, Davis said. The masked man then got back into the Jeep and sped off.

Clark was not injured and no injuries were reported, Davis and police said.

Police investigate near the intersection of North and Halsted street, where a security detail for the Harvey mayor opened fire after witnessing an attempted robbery Wednesday. Credit: Jake Wittich/Block Club Chicago

Two employees of CB2, a furnishing store across the street, said they heard gunshots and ran to the window to see police arriving shortly after.

The east side of Halsted Street, just south or North Avenue, was cordoned off with police tape Wednesday afternoon while officers investigated. Five evidence markers were seen in front of the Design Within Reach store, 755 W. North Ave.

No one was in custody, police said. Detectives are investigating the incident.


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