UPS driver shot making delivery on South Side

Published July 21, 2009 at 10:36 p.m.
Officials investigate the shooting of a UPS driver at 65th St. and Hermitage Avenue in West Englewood. (Tribune photo/Antonio Perez)

A United Parcel Service delivery driver was shot this morning during an apparent robbery in the West Englewood neighborhood on the South Side, officials said.

The man was in critical condition at Advocate Christ MedicalCenter in Oak Lawn after the 10 a.m. shooting on the 6500 block of South Hermitage Avenue, said Chicago Police Officer Gabrielle Lesniak.

She said the man was approached by two males as he was returning to histruck after making a delivery. The men ordered him into the truck andtold him to drive away with them in the truck but he refused, Lesniaksaid.

After refusing, the driver jumped out of the truck and attempted to run away when he was shot in the back, Lesniak said.

Susan Rosenberg, a spokeswoman for UPS in Atlanta, said officialshave been in contact with the man's family. The man, who they are notidentifying,  was able to speak and was aware of his surroundings, shesaid. She said UPS security officials are working with police.

The man has been employed with UPS since 1997 and has been a driver with the company since 2003, Rosenberg said. Police eventually released the truck and deliveries were continuing this afternoon, she said.

No other details were immediately available.

-- Carlos Sadovi and Annie Sweeney

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