Off-duty Evanston officer involved in shootout

Paige Leskin, City Editor

An off-duty Evanston police officer exchanged gunfire Thursday with two people while they robbed a bar in an Illinois suburb, police said.

Two men, armed with handguns, entered a bar in East Hazel Crest, Illinois, and ordered all patrons to get to the floor, police said.

An off-duty officer who was at the location exchanged gunfire with the two men before police could respond to the armed robbery at Benos, 17308 Fisk St., police said.

Evanston police Cmdr. Jay Parrott confirmed Sunday that the officer was a member of the Evanston Police Department.

One of the robbers had a white mask covering a part of his face, police said. The two men left in a car which may have been damaged as a result of the gunshots.

No injuries were reported. Video of the incident is available, police said.

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