A Chicago man pleaded guilty to shooting a Chicago police officer and two federal agents in 2021 because he thought they were rival street gang members.
Eugene “Gen Gen” McLaurin pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting a federal officer and two counts of using a firearm during and in retaliation to a crime of violence, according to a plea filed by the U.S. District Court.
McLaurin faces a maximum of life in prison, according to court files. Sentencing is scheduled for March 13.
McLaurin, driving a white Chevrolet Malibu, began following an unmarked Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives vehicle about 5:40 a.m. on July 7, 2021, as it headed east near the 400 block of West 118th Street because he thought the officer and agents inside were members of an opposing gang, authorities said.
As the ATF vehicle reached the on-ramp to Interstate 57 from Ashland Avenue, McLaurin pulled alongside them and opened fire using a 9 mm Glock 9 pistol, briefly paused, and fired more rounds at the vehicle, according to court documents.
One special agent was shot in the left hand and another was shot in the right arm and right side of his body, according to officials. Both suffered permanent injuries from the shooting, according to court documents.
The police officer, who was driving the unmarked vehicle, was grazed in the head, according to court records.
All were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, officials said.
Shortly after the shooting, McLaurin put the pistol in a sewer drain and hid the key to the Malibu inside a dryer vent tube in his basement, according to court files.
He was initially arrested by Chicago police hours after the shooting, and he was transferred to federal custody a day later.
McLaurin was previously convicted of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, narcotics delivery and street gang contact, according to court records.
