Suspect shoots cop, but good Samaritan with concealed carry license is in right place at right time

An unidentified good Samaritan may very well have saved a police officer's life by being in the right place at the right time with a concealed carry permit and a firearm.

What are the details?

According to WBBM-TV, the incident occurred Thursday when a suspect fired three shots on a Cicero, Illinois, police officer.

A good Samaritan — who wished to remain anonymous — stepped in and was able to return fire at the suspect. According to the Chicago Tribune, the good Samaritan did not hit the suspect. Despite not making contact, the  man likely saved the officer's life by simply distracting the suspect.

The 42-year-old man spoke with WBBM's Mai Martinez, to whom he told the harrowing story.

The man said that he was stopped at a red light when he noticed that a police officer was attempting to stop a black Mercedes-Benz sedan. It all unfolded very fast — and the next thing he saw was the suspect exiting the car and firing off several rounds at Cicero Police Officer Luis Duarte.

The suspect reportedly struck Duarte several times. The good Samaritan was moved to act, pulling out his firearm and firing several rounds of his own at the suspect. The suspect continued to shoot at police, but Duarte's partner was able to stop him by shooting the man multiple times in his ankle and leg.

“I was there in the right time and the right moment,” the good Samaritan explained. “My instincts, you know, told me to do what I did. I didn’t think twice to do what I did.”

He added, “Well, like I’m thinking you know, save that officer’s life you know, and then I tried to help that officer. I take a towel in my car and wrapped it around his arm.”

According to the Tribune, the good Samaritan also pulled his car up to the suspect and blocked traffic. That's when he began providing medical aid to Duarte.

Cicero Police Department's Commander Jerry Chlada told the station, "We were lucky enough to have a good citizen on the street who's a concealed carry holder. And he also engaged in gunfire with the offender, who was struck one time.

How is the injured officer?

The Cicero Police Department tweeted about the officer's medical status on Friday.

The tweet stated, "Update on Ofc Duarte: he is out of surgery and currently resting comfortably. Thank you to everyone for the Prayers and support!"

Update on Ofc Duarte: he is out of surgery and currently resting comfortably. Thank you to everyone for the Prayers and support!

— Cicero Police Dept (@TOCPolice) September 14, 2018

What else?

On Saturday, the suspect was identified as Daniel Mageo, a 27-year-old convicted felon on parole from California.

Police charged Mageo with two counts of attempted first-degree murder of an officer, and aggravated battery to a police officer.

Mageo was order to be held without bail in connection with his charges.