By Marwa Eltagouri and Jeremy Gorner

Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO — A south suburban man turned himself in to police Saturday afternoon in association with the beating and robbing of an off-duty Chicago police sergeant in the Loop on Thursday.

Brian Williams, 21, of Hazel Crest, is one of four people being held in connection with the incident, according to a law enforcement source.

The altercation with the off-duty sergeant occurred at 3 p.m. Thursday in a downtown parking garage on the 100 block of West Madison Street. Chicago police said the sergeant, who was wearing civilian clothes, and two other men were exiting the elevator on the 12th floor of the garage and walking toward their car when Williams and at least five other people confronted him.

Police reported several members of the group hit the sergeant and knocked him to the ground. When the sergeant's colleagues intervened, the attackers fled in a Buick Rendezvous after taking the sergeant's gun, police said.

The sergeant was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious condition, suffering facial fractures, a concussion and bleeding in his brain, police said.

Before surrendering to police Saturday afternoon, Williams said the sergeant instigated the fight by using a racial slur. Williams said the six people who approached the sergeant were himself, his fiancee and their 2-year-old daughter, plus his friend, his friend's fiancee and his friend's cousin. The group was downtown for Williams' friend and his fiancee's wedding at City Hall.

Williams said the judge announced an intermission in marriage procedures, so the six of them headed back to the parking garage to smoke.

Williams said the group was in the elevator when the sergeant and his two colleagues entered and the sergeant used the racial slur. The sergeant never identified himself as a police officer and was wearing no visible badge, Williams said.

Williams said his friend was angered by the statement and confronted the sergeant at his car. His friend was the only one who physically attacked the sergeant, Williams said.

Williams said he tried to get his friend away from the sergeant when he saw the sergeant pull a gun.

"My 2-year-old daughter, I was in fear for her and for her safety. I didn't know he was police, I just kicked the gun out of his hand because I was scared," Williams said.

Williams turned himself in to Harvey police at the encouragement of his sister, who lives in Harvey. Williams said his sister spoke with a pastor who recommended he surrender to police.

"I'm really not the type of person they make me out to be," Williams said. "I was just there when it happened."

Williams said he is employed and also has a 4-month-old son. He is on probation for possession of marijuana.

Police said Saturday the sergeant remains in the hospital in stable condition.

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