A 34-year-old Chicago man was charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting two officers Friday following a confrontation that happened after the officers pulled him over while driving a “dune-buggy style” vehicle, prosecutors said.
Malik Wrightsell, of Grand Boulevard, faces multiple felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated assault to a peace officer, possessing a firearm as a repeat felon and resisting police. He was also cited for driving a non-highway vehicle.
Wrightsell, who was also shot, remained hospitalized on Monday, delaying a detention hearing in the case.
Prosecutors, though, gave a brief proffer to Judge Luciano Panici Jr., who rescheduled a hearing for Wednesday. Wrightsell’s public defender reserved argument for when he could appear in court.
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Around 5 p.m. on Friday near East 79th Street and South Chappel Avenue, the officers stopped Wrightsell for illegally driving the vehicle, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara. When asked to get out of the vehicle, Wrightsell ran away, he said.
As one officer caught up to him and began struggling with him, Wrightsell pulled a gun from a cross-body bag and fired shots, Pekara said, striking one officer in his vest and another in his elbow.
An officer returned fire, Pekara said.
The officer who was struck in the vest has since been released from the hospital, while the other is still being treated, Pekara said.
Wrightsell has previous convictions for robbery and unlawful use of a weapon, he said.