Man who allegedly shot cops charged with attempted murder

CHICAGO (AP) - Attempted murder charges were filed Monday against a man accused of firing shots that wounded two Chicago police officers.

Bruce Lua, 45, of Chicago is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and unlawful use of a weapon.

Authorities say the two officers were wounded Sunday after they responded to reports of gunfire and someone immediately fired at them. Lua was shot in the leg and taken to a Chicago hospital for treatment. Both officers were released from the hospital Sunday after treatment of their injuries.

Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said the two officers were working in the Lawndale neighborhood on the city's West Side when they were dispatched to the ShotSpotter alert early Sunday. When they saw a man in a vacant lot near the location the alert indicated, they approached him and were immediately fired upon.

'œThey were in uniform, clearly Chicago police officers, and this offender had no regard for their position as police officers - no regard - and began trying to kill them,'ť Brown said Sunday. `` But for the good Lord's grace that we're not here talking about planning a funeral for our officers.'ť

It wasn't immediately known if Lua has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

Police have said a comprehensive use of force investigation will be initiated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, according to authorities. The two officers will be assigned to administrative duties for 30 days, a routine action.

According to Brown, 16 Chicago police officers have been shot in the past 15 months and 108 officers have been fired upon.