Aggressive Panhandler Arrested then Shoots Officer
An unidentified friend of Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly was accosted Wednesday afternoon by an aggressive panhandler as he stepped out of a cab.
Reilly's friend says that when he stepped out of the cab, Reginald Hardaman approached him aggressively demanding the change in his hand which he had gotten from the cab driver after paying his fare. An unmarked squad car patrolling the street witnessed the event and arrested Hardaman immediately for aggressive panhandling and possibly assault.
Hardaman was handcuffed and placed in the back of the squad car. Minutes later however, Hardaman was dead. He was shot to death by police officers after he grabbed a hidden gun and shot one of the officers in the front seat. The officers stopped the vehicle immediately, got out and fatally shot Hardaman.
It was later revealed that Hardaman had a history of mental illness as well as previous arrests for aggressive panhandling and other crimes such as drug possession.
One of the officers was treated for bullet wounds. The incident is currently under investigation. It is not believed that any police brutality took place.
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