Michael Groh visited the Northwest Side Tavern shortly after midnight on Friday. The 45-year-old man identified himself to many patrons that he was a Chicago police officer. An hour later, Groh was embroiled into an argument with another man. Witnesses said Groh overstepped the line in the argument when he started questioning the other man’s citizenship status and his ethnic background.
The situation worsened when Groh pulled out a pellet gun, aimed it in the man’s face and pulled the trigger. Groh also shot him in the back of the head. During the escalated argument, witnesses called police to the scene.
The victim, who has not been identified at this time, was rushed to the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition. Police arrested Groh at the scene and charged him with a felony hate crime, aggravated battery, and impersonation of a peace officer. He is expected to appear for a bond court hearing on Saturday.
Police located a pellet gun at the scene, and later located handcuffs, a key and two metal badges he used during his impersonation. Officers did not advise if the shooter had an attorney present or if he provided information as to why he was impersonating an officer.
Viral Global News will update this story as information from the courts become available.