A 20-year-old Michigan City, Indiana, man is facing several felony charges after police say he allegedly tried to rob a customer at gunpoint Tuesday morning at a Shell gas station in Orland Park and was shot by the intended victim.
Christopher Brown was charged Wednesday with attempted armed robbery, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of a stolen firearm, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon by a person under 21, and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon without a FOID card or concealed carry license.
The incident happened around 9 a.m. Sept. 15 at the Shell station in the 15100 block of Harlem Avenue, near 151st Street. Orland Park police initially responded after receiving reports of gunfire in the parking lot.
Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses. Police said the video showed a fully masked man approaching a customer who was pumping gas and pointing a firearm at him while demanding his property.
The customer, who police identified as an Illinois Concealed Carry License holder, pulled his own firearm and fired, striking Brown once in the cheek. The customer was not injured and has been cooperating with investigators.
After being shot, Brown ran southwest from the gas station before stopping in a nearby parking lot, where officers located him. A witness had also called 911 to report a man with a gunshot wound in the area of 73rd Avenue.
The Orland Fire Protection District treated Brown before taking him to a local hospital. Police said he was in stable condition and remained under police guard.
Investigators also determined that both the vehicle Brown allegedly drove to the gas station and the firearm he was carrying had been reported stolen in Michigan City, Indiana.
Authorities said officers were able to locate everyone involved within minutes of the initial emergency calls and determined there was no continuing threat to the public.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charges following the police investigation. Attempted armed robbery is listed as a Class 1 felony, while possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a stolen firearm are Class 2 felonies. The two aggravated unlawful weapon possession charges are listed as Class 4 felonies.
Brown remains hospitalized while the case moves forward. Information about a court appearance was not immediately available.
Police have emphasized that the allegations are still pending in court and Brown is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
