Off-Duty Cop Charged With Shooting At Carjackers Stealing Her SUV

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — An off-duty Chicago police officer was arrested after she fired her gun at carjacking suspects driving off in her vehicle in the Sam’s Club parking lot, Evergreen Park police said. Oneta S. Carney is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm.

Police said the incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. Saturday while Carney was loading groceries into her white Toyota 4Runner in the Sam’s Club parking lot at 94th Street and Western Avenue.

According to a news release, Carney later told police she was approached by three males who asked if she needed assistance. When she replied that she did not, one of the youths slipped behind the wheel of her SUV, which was running with the keys inside, police said.

The off-duty officer chased her SUV on foot and fired a round from her gun at the fleeing vehicle, police said. The round did not hit the vehicle, but the pavement, where it was recovered.

Carney called 911 and identified herself as an off-duty Chicago police officer, and officers responded to the scene, police said.

A few hours later, Chicago police saw a white 4Runner matching the description of Carney's vehicle driving through the Loop in the 200 block of Wacker Drive. Police tried to stop the SUV, but it drove away, news reports said.

Chicago police officers were able to catch up to the SUV when it reportedly crashed into another vehicle. Six male suspects, including a 26-year-old man and five juveniles, were arrested, police said.

Evergreen Park police sought charges against the off-duty CPD officer at the conclusion of their investigation. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the reckless discharge of a firearm charge.

Anyone with information about the alleged carjacking at Sam’s Club is asked to call the Evergreen Park Police Department at 708-422-2144.