Parolee Tasers Self And Cop During Pharmacy Struggle: Prosecutor

HICKORY HILLS, IL -- A Chicago man caught trying to submit a phony prescription at a CVS store shot both himself and a police officer with the officer’s Taser gun during a struggle, prosecutors said. Parrish Wright, 27, of Chicago, appeared before Cook County Judge Donald Havis on felony charges of aggravated battery to a police officer and attempt to disarm a police officer. Wright is currently on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections.

According to the charges, pharmacy staff contacted police on Dec. 31 about a potential fraudulent prescription in progress at the Hickory Hills CVS store. Pharmacy employees told police that a man, later identified as Wright, had left the store but was going to come back to presumably pick up the prescription.

The prosecutor said that when Wright returned to the store, he was confronted by a Hickory Hills police officer. Wright allegedly charged the officer, knocking him into the wall. The two continued to struggle on the floor. The officer attempted to taze Wright, but it had no affect, the prosecutor said.

During the alleged struggle, the Taser gun had become dislodged and was laying on the floor. Both the officer and Wright went for the Taser. Wright ended up shooting himself and the officer, shocking them both, the prosecutor said. Wright allegedly punched the officer in the face and bit his hand and would not stop clenching. A customer tried to assist the officer by applying his weight on Wright. The prosecutor said that several other officers arrived and they were able to apply to take Wright into custody.

The officer had a swollen hand, scratches and black eye, the prosecutor said. Wright allegedly told police he charged the officer because he didn’t know he was a cop and had to get home to his kids.
Wright is currently on parole from the Stateville Correctional Center where he had been serving a 6-year sentence stemming from a 2011 armed habitual criminal conviction. Wright also served a 4-year sentence for residential burglary in 2010.

Bail was set at $25,000. Wright is due back in court Jan. 28 in Bridgeview.