Off-duty Palos Hills cop shoots man who opened fire at South Holland park

A man who opened fire at a South Holland park Saturday was shot by an off-duty Palos Hills police officer and later died, according to the village.

He was identified as 34-year-old Jeffery Mason, of Blue Island, according to a South Holland spokeswoman.

The shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute involving the man and his current and former girlfriends, the village said in a statement.

A family reunion was being held at Maicach Park, 165th Street and Drexel Avenue, according to spokeswoman Julia Huisman.

According to the statement, the man, later identified as Mason, left the area with his current girlfriend then he returned and began firing.

The off-duty officer returned fire, striking Mason, who was taken to an area hospital and later died, according to the village. The officer had been attending the family reunion, according to Huisman.

Palos Hills police Chief Jeffrey Cucio confirmed that it was an off-duty officer who fired at the man, but that the department had no other comment.

He declined to say how long the officer has worked for the department but said the officer has not been reassigned or temporarily relieved of police duties.

“His employment status with us has not changed,” the chief said.

South Holland said that the Mason was the only person hit by gunfire.

Illinois State Police said they are assisting in a small role but not conducting an independent investigation of the shooting.

mnolan@tribpub.com