Harper wrestler charged in attack on Wood Dale cop

A Harper College wrestler accused of breaking into an off-duty police officer’s home last month fought with two police veterans for about 10 minutes before one of the officers retrieved a service weapon and shot him in the stomach, prosecutors said Monday.

Kerin Ramirez, 19, of the 800 block of South Addison St., Addison, was ordered held on $300,000 bail. He is charged with home invasion and aggravated battery to a police officer.

The altercation occurred about 7 a.m. Sept. 24, after an off-duty Wood Dale officer was awakened by a banging sound on the first floor of his home near Wheaton.

Prosecutors said the officer went to investigate and found Ramirez in a front hall. After identifying himself, they said, the officer ordered Ramirez out of his house. That’s when Ramirez “took off his shirt and squared off,” then charged at the officer, Assistant State’s Attorney Tim Diamond said.

“He told (the officer) to get the (expletive) out of his house,” Diamond told Judge Michael Wolfe in bond court.

Diamond said the officer and Ramirez fought for an “extended period of time” as the officer’s wife called 911. Eventually, a retired police officer who lived next door came to the other officer’s aid. The three then fought for about 10 minutes, Diamond said, before the off-duty officer retrieved a service weapon and shot Ramirez once in the stomach.

Throughout the altercation, Diamond said, the officer whose home was broken into — a 14-year veteran — repeatedly identified himself as a police officer. He said the shooting happened while the officer’s two children, ages 2 and 4, were home.

Ramirez underwent several surgeries as he recovered in at Central DuPage Hospital during the past few weeks, prosecutors said. Diamond said he also gave a recorded interview with investigators.

“He indicated he did not recall entering (the officer’s) home intoxicated and wanted to apologize,” Diamond said.

A graduate of Addison Trail High School, Ramirez is a second-year student and wrestler at Harper College studying education, school officials said.

He appeared in court via a video feed from the county jail Monday seated in a wheelchair and wearing hospital scrubs.

A Harper wrestling coach attended the hearing with an attorney but declined to comment afterward.

Ken Overwater, an assistant public defender appointed to represent Ramirez, sought a lower bond, citing the athlete’s full-time job and apologetic statement to police.

“This is not an intended home invasion,” he said.

Prosecutors said Ramirez has no significant criminal history. Asked if he would be able to post $30,000 as bond, Ramirez said, “I can try but I don’t think so.”

Prosecutors said he faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge.

Wood Dale police did not respond to a message seeking comment.