A Morton Grove man was shot after he confronted two men believed to be breaking into his vehicle parked at the man’s home, an incident detectives continue to investigate and the Morton Grove police chief personally addressed – discouraging such victim engagement.

According to a police department news release, officers responded around 2:44 a.m. on Jan. 25 to the 7300 block of Palma Lane on a call of shots fired related to a burglary to a motor vehicle.

Morton Grove and Niles police officers arrived on the scene. They discovered a man had been shot and “provided lifesaving interventions” to him, including the application of a tourniquet, the release states.

The man was taken by Morton Grove Fire Department ambulance to a local hospital, authorities explained in the release.

The man was not identified, and he was reported to be in stable condition when he was taken to the hospital.

Authorities explained in the release that an early investigation revealed that two male offenders were trying to break into a vehicle parked on the block. The man eventually shot had identified the vehicle being burgled as his own and he confronted the would-be thieves.

“At that time, the offenders battered the victim and discharged a firearm, striking him in the leg, before fleeing the scene. The offenders were observed leaving the area by witnesses in a dark colored sedan,” according to the release.

Information about the two men and the vehicle they allegedly fled the scene in was “promptly” shared with regional law enforcement, the release explained.

The same day as the incident, Morton Grove police Chief Michael Weitzel penned a “letter to the community” where he referenced the Palma Lane reported shooting as well as what he called a similar incident Jan. 7 that took place on Reba Court.

The chief acknowledged that, in Illinois, “private citizens have a statutory right to use proportional force to defend their property. The victim in this case (Palma Lane incident) did what he believed was necessary to protect his property under extremely stressful and rapidly unfolding circumstances.”

He said such incidents “highlight the very real danger of confronting individuals who are engaged in criminal activity.” But he noted that sometimes criminals won’t hesitate to used deadly force, “as we saw in this case.”

“While citizens have legal rights to defend themselves and their property, we strongly encourage residents to prioritize their personal safety and contact the police rather than physically confronting suspects,” the chief wrote.

Weitzel acknowledged residents’ concerns about the two shooting incidents and, while they are similar, declined to state they are connected. He said both shootings remain under investigation, including the use of law enforcement partners and technology.

“It is also important for the community to understand that the Morton Grove Police Department is not only responding to these incidents after the fact, but is actively working to deter them before they occur,” the police chief wrote. His department “remains committed to aggressively investigating these incidents, bringing those responsible to justice, and providing a sense of safety and security to the victim of this crime and to everyone in this Village.”

Anyone with information related to the incidents is asked to contact the Morton Grove Police Department at 847-470-5200.

 

 

 

 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/morton-grove-man-shot-during-vehicle-break-in/