CHICAGO – Joseph Hammond, 35, of Chicago, will spend the next nine and a half years in federal prison after attempting to shoot a loaded handgun at federal agents while clutching a small child. The incident, which unfolded in the city’s troubled Englewood neighborhood, nearly resulted in a tragedy, authorities say.
The near-fatal encounter occurred on June 3, 2020, as agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were investigating a report of a man with a gun and a toddler in the 6800 block of South Sangamon Street. As the agents approached in a vehicle, Hammond allegedly leveled a firearm at an agent, shouting, “move along.” Thankfully, the gun malfunctioned when Hammond pulled the trigger.
Undeterred and displaying a reckless disregard for life, Hammond then fled the scene with the toddler in tow. A pursuit ensued, and agents ultimately apprehended Hammond nearby. Miraculously, neither the child nor any of the responding agents were injured in the chaotic chase. The incident highlights the dangerous conditions law enforcement face daily in Chicago’s most violent areas.
Hammond pleaded guilty earlier this year to both assaulting a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah handed down the 9.5-year sentence following a hearing in federal court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Misty N. Wright argued during sentencing that Hammond’s actions were representative of the “rush to threats and violence that is getting people killed in our communities.”
The sentencing was a joint announcement from U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch, Jr. for the Northern District of Illinois, Jeffrey L. Matthews, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the ATF’s Chicago Field Division, and Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown. The collaboration underscores the ongoing effort to combat gun violence and protect both law enforcement and the public.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive gun violence plaguing Chicago and the risks faced by those sworn to uphold the law. While the toddler was unharmed, the incident could have easily turned deadly, adding another tragic statistic to the city’s already grim tally. Hammond’s sentence is a message – though a late one for some – that brandishing a firearm at law enforcement will carry severe consequences.
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