A Waukegan police officer was lauded Friday for shooting a gunman who had randomly fired shots at pedestrians.
Police Chief Artis Yancey told reporters during a news conference the unnamed officer, a 29-year department veteran, “acted with great heroism” when he shot and killed David Melgoza during an exchange of gunfire in an alley about 1:13 p.m. Thursday.
“His training and experience helped to carry him through this ordeal,” Yancey said. “He acted with great heroism to contain a threat upon the community.”
The officer received a call that witnesses reported a gunman was firing at pedestrians at 8th Street between Jackson and Victory streets. The officer drove through an alley and encountered Melgoza, 25, of the 3200 block of Charleston, Waukegan, Yancey said.
Officials believe Melgoza shot first at the officer, who returned fire twice, grazing Melgoza’s thigh with one shot but hitting him in the torso with the other, Yancey said. The second shot killed Melgoza.
Yancey said it is unknown how many times Melgoza fired at the officer, but numerous shell casings were recovered at the scene from Melgoza’s semiautomatic handgun.
Melgoza was taken to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead, said Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller.
Yancey said witnesses told investigators Melgoza yelled at passing cars and pedestrians before firing a shot at a random person near 8th and Jackson. Melgoza then calmly walked away and fired two more shots at people in the east alley of the 800 block of South Jackson before the officer arrived, Yancey said.
No one was injured in the random shootings, Yancey said.
“We don’t know or can confirm the shooter’s motivators,” he said. “But, we know he was taking shots at people coming by.”
The officer was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for precautionary reasons, Yancey said. The officer was not injured and has since been released.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, which is routine in all police-involved shootings, Yancey said. The shooting is under investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force.
Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.
To this day I still can’t get over the fact that this happened. Its sad how many police officers-such as this one-do not do their jobs. As a police officer they have a job to PROTECT AND SERVE, not abuse of their power only because they have a badge. David was a great guy, probably one of the people that has made the greatest impact on my life. And I still love him with all my heart <3
*Rest In Paradise David Melgoza*
Gone but never forgotten, you will always be in my prayers.
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David was a really good friend to us… It kills me to know that the officer who killed him is out there getting respect as if he did something heroic! Davis deserved to live a full and beautiful life…. They didn’t have to shoot him in the fuckin chest! He would of still been alive…! fuck Waukegan police!!!
R.I.P DAVID… YOU’LL BE MISSED
DAMB!!!! Fuckin asses!!!! they dint have to kill him yo!!!!!!!!!!! I cant believe he’s gone my respects to his mother who is wonderfull, strong woman!!!!! DAvid wrkd w me for a while calm and collected.He to my husband an hr before he was shot, sayin “ill call u back”………..dats krazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“the cop acted with heroism when he shot and killed David”!!! r u fucking series!!! thats acting like a hero what the fuck is wrong with this stupid ppl… they took his life away at a short age, he was so full of life.. he will always be missed and in our hearts…. and that cop who killed him i hope he fucking burns in hell…
ALL THIS SHIT IS BULLSHIT!!! HE DIDNT DESERVE TO DIE HE WAS SO YOUNG AND FULL OF LIFE…
PPL REALLY NEED TO STOP MAKING UP MORE STORIES TO HIS DEAD, SOME PPL SAY ONE THING AND OTHER SAY ANOTHER…. ME AS PART OF HIS FAMILY WOULD LIKE FOR PPL TO STOP MAKING UP STUFF…. LET HIM REST IN PEACE…. AND NOT ONLY THAT FOR RESPECT TOWARDS HIS PARENTS AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS HE LEFT BEHIND…AND TRUST ME THAT POLICE OFFICER WHO KILLED HIM WILL SOMEDAY PAY FOR THIS…. HOPEFULLY HE CANT SLEEP AT NIGHT JUST THINKING HOW HE TOOK SOME YOUNG GUYS LIFE AWAY… THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME AND SHOWED THEIR LOVE…..
BULLSHIT!!! FCK THE POLICE, DAVID HAD NO REASON TO DIE! FCK THE PIGGS, BITCH ASS MOTHA FUCKERS! POLICE KILL4