Teens Charged in Shooting of Oak Park Cop Plead Not Guilty

Image: Taiwan McNeal, courtesy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office

Taiwan McNeal and David Bush, the teenagers accused of shooting an off-duty Oak Park police officer, pleaded not guilty June 5 to attempted murder charges, according to the Chicago Tribune.

See Also:

• Arraignment Scheduled for Teens Charged in Shooting of Oak Park Cop
• Teens Charged in Attempted Robbery and Shooting of Oak Park Cop
• Oak Park Police Officer Shot as He Leaves for Work Sunday Morning

Prosecutors say McNeal, age 18, and Bush, age 17, came at off-duty Oak Park officer Johnny Patterson, age 57, in the alleyway behind his house at about 5:15 a.m. May 3 and tried to rob him when the officer drew his weapon.

One of the teens shot the officer in the arm and leg, prosecutors say. Patterson returned fire and shot one of the teens several times. Chicago police found McNeal and Bush nearby in the 9900 block of South Princeton.

Patterson is a 25-year veteran of the Oak Park Police Department. Village of Oak Park representatives told the Tribune that Patterson is recovering at home.

Both McNeal’s and Bush’s cases will continue June 23.

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