By JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire
The fatal shooting of 17-year-old Charles K. Macklin was ruled a homicide, but the off-duty Chicago Fire Department lieutenant who shot the boy claims it was a matter of self-defense.
The lieutenant told police he shot the teenage boy who tried to steal his car last Monday in the West Side Austin neighborhood, authorities said.
About 9:30 a.m., the 45-year-old lieutenant left his vehicle running in the 1400 block of North Lockwood, when the boy got inside and tried to drive off, according to Chicago Police and Fire Department officials.
The lieutenant fired his weapon at the teen, who was trying to run him over with the vehicle, authorities said.
The boy, identified as Macklin, who lived in the same neighborhood, was shot in the chest and was taken to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, where he was pronounced dead at 9:33 a.m., police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
An autopsy Tuesday showed he died of the chest wound, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.
The lieutenant has a concealed-carry permit and an FOID card, authorities said.
Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford confirmed the man’s position with the department. He said the lieutenant was not injured in the shooting, but was taken to a hospital for observation.
Area North detectives are investigating.
Last week, members of the Revolution Club Chicago led a protest on the block where the shooting took place, calling for justice and a thorough investigation of the shooting.