Chicago panhandler shoots officer, is killed

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CHICAGO, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- A panhandler in Chicago was killed by police after he shot an officer through the seat of a squad car he was put in after his arrest, authorities said.

Reginald Hardaman, 56, was picked up for panhandling Wednesday in the city's River North neighborhood, handcuffed and placed in the back of a squad car, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Police say Hardaman pulled a weapon and shot an officer through the front seat and was killed when officers returned fire.

A 44-year-old officer was in good condition with a bullet wound to the back, officials said, and his 60-year-old partner suffered minor cuts on his hands.

It was unclear whether the officers had patted down the suspect for weapons before putting him in the car, officials said.

Hardaman's brother said the panhandler suffered from mental illness.

"I knew eventually it was going to come to an end," Sidney Hardaman told the Chicago Tribune.

"He been sick for a long time, he been taking all kinds of medication, he been in and out the nut house," Hardaman said.

Hardaman had been arrested nearly a dozen times since 1990, mostly for petty offenses, court records showed.