Man who tried to tackle Chicago police is the latest to face federal gun charge after weekend violence

A man who allegedly tried to tackle a Chicago police officer after he was caught inside a looted liquor store is the latest to face a federal gun charge in connection with the violence last weekend.

The feds say police called to the liquor store in the 5500 block of West North Avenue around 6 p.m. Sunday because of looting and shooting found Jeremiah J. Scott, 21, inside. Police said the front door was damaged.

Officers told Scott to leave the liquor store, but as he did so, he tried to run away, according to a five-page criminal complaint filed Thursday. Then, when police tried to take him into custody, Scott allegedly tried to tackle an officer to the ground by grabbing both of the officer’s legs.

The officers arrested Scott for disorderly conduct, according to the complaint. When searching Scott, police said they found a black semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine kept near Scott’s groin. The feds say the gun had been stolen on June 11, 2019.

Scott was convicted in 2018 of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in Cook County and sentenced to two years of probation, according to the complaint. He is now charged in federal court with illegal possession of a firearm.

Federal prosecutors have so far charged at least six people with gun crimes related to the looting and rioting in Chicago. They have also charged a Galesburg man who allegedly traveled first to Minneapolis and then Chicago to loot and riot, and they charged a Pilsen man with arson for setting fire to a Chicago police vehicle.