Reputed Gang Member Charged in Shooting of 2 Chicago Officers

A reputed gang member has been charged for his alleged role in the shooting of two plainclothes Chicago police officers earlier this week in the South Side's Back of the Yards neighborhood, reports the Chicago Tribune .

Angel Gomez, 18, was charged Saturday night with two counts each of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

Sources familiar with the investigation said Gomez was the alleged driver of a Chrysler minivan that was involved in the Tuesday night shooting in the 4300 block of South Ashland Avenue.

The suspected shooter — a passenger in the minivan who investigators believe used a military-style semi-automatic rifle to shoot the two Deering District tactical officers — remains at large.

It's unclear whether the shooter knew that the unmarked, covert van carried officers or he thought they were rival gang members, police said.

A source said the suspects are reputed members of the La Raza street gang, one of four Hispanic gangs believed to be responsible for about three dozen shootings tied to semi-automatic rifles in Back of the Yards and the nearby Brighton Park neighborhood since early 2016.