Man charged in shooting of Chicago firefighter at fire scene

CHICAGO (AP) - A 29-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting of a Chicago firefighter who was responding to a car fire, police said on Saturday.

Police arrested Hollis Williams on Thursday night. Police believe the firefighter got caught in an exchange of gunfire between two groups and was not targeted.

Brendan Deenihan, the Chicago Police Department's chief of detectives, said the chaotic series of events began when two unidentified men set a car on fire on the city's northwest side around 1 a.m. on Feb. 2.

As firefighters were working at the scene, three men and a woman came out of a nearby building, Deenihan said.

Two other men began firing at the woman as she got into a car and drove away, prompting an exchange of gunfire between the two groups, he said. The firefighter was hit in his left leg during that exchange.

Deenihan said police are still looking for the others involved and believe a second man shot his weapon in the firefighter's direction. He said Williams' arrest was based on work by undercover narcotics officers and information from witness interviews.

It's not clear if Williams has an attorney. He was ordered held without bail after appearing in court Saturday.

Williams has been charged with four felonies: Aggravated battery of a firefighter, aggravated battery of a police officer and two weapons charges.

Deenihan said Williams drove his car into a police sergeant's vehicle and ran over an officer's foot before being arrested Thursday.

Fire Commissioner Richard Ford said the firefighter has been released from a hospital and is recovering well at home.