OAK PARK, Ill. — A tragic incident unfolded Friday morning when an Oak Park police detective was fatally shot while confronting a gunman outside a local bank. The confrontation also resulted in the gunman being shot by police and subsequently arrested.
Detective Allan Reddins, 40, was responding to reports of an armed individual leaving the Chase Bank on Lake Street when he and other officers attempted to apprehend the suspect. Chief Shatonya Johnson of the Oak Park Police Department recounted that upon encountering the officers, the suspect drew a handgun and fired, striking Reddins in the torso.
Despite immediate medical efforts, Reddins succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center at 10:10 a.m. The suspect, meanwhile, was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the leg and remains under police custody.
The loss of Detective Reddins marks a somber milestone as the first line-of-duty death for the Oak Park Police since 1938. Overwhelmed with emotion, Chief Johnson expressed the profound grief resonating through the department. “Our hearts are heavy with mourning. We lost not just an excellent officer but a remarkable person,” Johnson said.
Witnesses near the scene described chaos as gunfire erupted. Nicholas Gradishar, who was nearby, reported hearing shots and seeing the quick response of law enforcement. “It’s shocking, nothing like this usually happens here,” Gradishar observed as he witnessed the arrest of the suspect, found with multiple firearms.
The impact of the shooting extended beyond the immediate scene, with damage reported at the main village library and the local UPS store, underscoring the severity and broad impact of the violent episode.
A police convoy later escorted Reddins’ body from the hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, an event that saw scores of police officers and firefighters from various departments paying their respects. Johnson shared that Reddins, who is survived by his mother, siblings, and a 19-year-old son, was renowned for his leadership and dedication. “Allan was a natural-born leader, deeply committed to his community. He stood out immediately when I reviewed his application back in 2019,” she added.
Before joining Oak Park’s force, Reddins had served with the Metra Police Department and had been a detective in Oak Park since 2022, applying his expertise to major cases, owing to his keen investigative skills and impactful community engagement.
Johnson hinted at Reddins’ promising future in law enforcement, noting his potential for further promotion, reflecting on his exceptional qualities not just as an officer but as a mentor and community figure.
As the community reels from this violent shock, the investigation into the shooting continues, with officials exploring all elements of the incident, which may include reviewing body camera footage captured during the exchange.
Details concerning Detective Reddins’ funeral arrangements will be made public through the village’s official communication channels, as the Oak Park community begins to reflect and mourn the tragic loss of a hero.