Jerrell Thomas, described by police investigators as a “habitual criminal,” is under arrest and charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Oak Park police detective Allan Reddins.
Breitbart News reported Reddins responded to a call Friday morning about a man leaving a bank with a gun and, upon arriving on scene, was shot around 9:30 a.m.
Reddins died shortly thereafter and was the first Oak Park Police Department officer killed in the line of duty since 1938.
It is with great sadness that the Village of Oak Park announces that Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins was killed today, Nov. 29, 2024, in the line of duty while responding to a call involving an armed offender. The Village of Oak Park extends its deepest condolences to… pic.twitter.com/qhzqLSZadq
— Oak Park Police Department (@VOPpolice) November 29, 2024
On Saturday, ABC 7 noted that 37-year-old Thomas was arrested in connection with the shooting.
Police investigators described Thomas as a “habitual criminal” and ABC 7 pointed out some of his previous charges include “multiple arrests for aggravated battery to a police officer, domestic battery, battery and resisting a police officer.”
Thomas allegedly opened fire on Reddins after being asked to “show his hands.” Reddins was fatally wounded in his left side and Thomas was struck in the leg via return fire.
Reddins leaves behind his 19-year-old son.
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio, a member of Gun Owners of America, a Pulsar Night Vision pro-staffer, and the director of global marketing for Lone Star Hunts. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal in 2010 and has a Ph.D. in Military History. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange. Reach him directly:
