Man shot by Palatine police facing attempted murder charge
A Chicago man shot in the leg by Palatine police Thursday night while trying to flee arrest is facing attempted murder and aggravated assault charges alleging he tried to run over two police officers during his bid to escape.
Michael Douglas, 26, of the 5000 block of West Thomas Street, appeared in court on the felony charges Monday, when a Cook County judge set his bail at $1.25 million.
Douglas, who could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the attempted murder charge, also is charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of cannabis stemming from the confrontation, which Palatine police said took place during an "active drug investigation."
Police say investigators tried to arrest Douglas in connection with the drug case about 7:40 p.m. Thursday, in an apartment complex parking lot in the 500 block of North Quentin Road. According to police, Douglas put his vehicle in reverse, slamming it into a parked vehicle behind him, then accelerated forward in at attempt to run down two officers.
Fearing for his life, a 10-year veteran of the Palatine Police Department fired at Douglas' vehicle, which made it out of the parking lot, police said.
Douglas was located a short time later in the 1400 block of Winslowe Drive in Palatine suffering from a single gunshot wound to the leg.
He was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, where he remained until Friday morning, when he was released into police custody.
Members of the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force, Cook County State's Attorney Office and Palatine Police Department continue to investigate the shooting.
Douglas is scheduled to return to court July 18 for a pre-trial hearing.