Mount Prospect police say road rage led to violence

Mount Prospect police are searching for the men who shot a Comcast worker in the arm during an apparent road rage incident Tuesday.

Comcast spokesman Rich Ruggiero said Cary Aiello, who has been with the company for more than seven years and works out of the Mount Prospect office as a technician, was on his way to lunch when he was shot.

Aiello, who was admitted to Northwest Community Hospital, said he is recovering but declined to comment further Tuesday evening.

Police were told the offenders were man in their late 20s or early 30s, ranging from 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 9 inches tall and of medium build. The driver was last seen wearing a dark short-sleeved shirt and black jeans, while the passenger was last seen wearing a baseball cap.

Police described the vehicle as a very clean, newer model black Honda Civic two-door, possibly of late 1990s vintage and said it has been described as a sporty model with a rear spoiler.

Police gave this account:

The Honda tailgated the Comcast van as it was eastbound on Prospect Avenue east of Main Street. The driver and passenger shouted obscenities and made obscene gestures to the victim.

The offenders ultimately gestured for the victim to pull over, which he did at Prospect Avenue and Edward Street. The victim and the driver of the Honda left their vehicles and an argument ensued. When the passenger of the Honda left that vehicle, the victim turned away to go back to his van. It was at that point that the victim was struck by a single gunshot to his right arm.

Daily Herald photographer Joe Lewnard happened to be in the area and was one of the first people to stop. He helped Aiello place the 911 call, which was made at 12:07 p.m.

"He was hunched over a little bit … and holding his arm," Lewnard said. "He made eye contact with me and waved at me and said, 'Help me. Help me.'"

Lewnard said Aiello appeared to be shot in the right bicep area.

Mount Prospect police officer William Roscop said the victim told police he didn't know he did anything wrong.

"Our victim was unaware he cut anyone off or caused any problems," Roscop said.

Roscop advises people to stay in their cars if involved in a road rage incident.

"The time and day of getting out the car is over," he said. "Unfortunately our society has got much more violent and the availability if weapons has increased."