Man shot by cops in East Garfield Park was on bond in earlier gun case

Police investigate the scene at Springfield Avenue and Wilcox Street where police say Richard Willis was shot by a Chicago police officer during a chase. | Jake Wittich/Sun-Times

For the second time in less than two months, 25-year-old Richard Willis is facing a gun charge.

At a hearing Friday, Willis was accused of pointing a gun at a Chicago police officer, who then shot him as he fled from police Wednesday night in East Garfield Park.

Willis, who is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated assault of a police officer, remained hospitalized Friday at Mount Sinai Hospital for the gunshot, which struck his leg and lodged in his scrotum, authorities said.

At the time of his arrest, Willis was on bond in a gun case after he allegedly accidentally shot a co-worker as he played with a handgun Oct. 17 inside a fast food restaurant in south suburban Alsip.

Richard Willis

In that case, Willis also faces a count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and was released after posting $5,000 bond, Cook County prosecutors said.

For those reasons, prosecutors asked that Willis be held without bond on the latest case, saying he had proven with his action that he could not be trusted to obey court orders if released.

Judge Arthur Wesley Willis agreed, and ordered Willis, who it not related to the judge, held without bail and revoked his bond in the earlier case, as well.

Officers responding to a separate call spotted Willis about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and saw him “adjusting his waistband,” prosecutors said. The officers tried to stop Willis to question him, but he ran and was pursued by the officers, who saw him holding a black handgun as he ran, prosecutors said.

They chased Willis to a gangway near Springfield Avenue and Wilcox Street where he allegedly pointed the gun at an officers, leading one officer to fire at Willis, according to prosecutors, who said the shooting was recorded by the officer’s body-worn camera.

Police recovered a 9-mm handgun from Willis that contained a live round in the chamber and a magazine that held an additional 16 rounds, prosecutors said.

On Oct. 17, Willis was working at the Wendy’s and showing a co-worker another 9-mm handgun when it went off, striking a 17-year-old girl who was also working at the restaurant in leg, authorities said. She later required surgery to repair an artery, according to prosecutors.

Judge Arthur Wesley Willis ordered Richard Willis held without bail on the new charge and revoked his bond in the Wendy’s shooting case.

His next hearing was set for Wednesday.