Off-duty Officer Shot in Chicago

An off-duty Oak Park, Ill., police officer was shot early Sunday on Chicago's South Side, according to authorities, reports the Chicago Tribune .

A family member said 58-year-old officer Johnny Patterson was leaving for work when he was approached by two males armed with a gun in the alleyway behind his home in the 300 block of West 103rd Place.

Just after 5:00 a.m., there was an exchange of gunfire -- five or six shots -- and the officer was hit in his arm and leg, said the officer's grandson, 19-year-old Semaj Patterson.

The gunmen fled the scene, and the officer was taken to the hospital. A short time later, police said two people were taken into custody.

Chicago police believe this may have been a robbery or carjacking attempt.

The wounded officer, a 25-year veteran of the force, is in stable condition, according to a statement released by Oak Park police.