5-time felon fired 2 guns during shootout that killed off-duty correctional officer: prosecutors

Cordarrow Thompson, Rafael Wordlaw, and the vehicle investigators are trying to locate. (Chicago Police Department, @SeanMMorrison)

CHICAGO — A five-time convicted felon fired two weapons to kill an off-duty Cook County correctional officer during a robbery attempt at a South Side gas station early Tuesday, officials said Thursday. Chicago police have also released a photograph of an SUV they are trying to locate as part of the ongoing murder investigation.

The slain officer, Rafael Wordlaw, 31, and a close friend were heading home from a party in separate cars when they both stopped at a service station in the 500 block of East 67th Street so the friend could get gas, prosecutors said.

According to Assistant State’s Attorney Anne McCord Rodgers, Wordlaw remained in his car while the friend pumped gas and spoke with him through his open car window.

Around 1:25 a.m., a dark-colored SUV rolled through the gas station and parked.

Chicago police are trying to locate this SUV in connection with the shooting. (Chicago Police Department)

Moments later, according to Rodgers, Cordarrow Thompson, 32, approached Wordlaw and his friend and produced two handguns, one in each hand, including a pistol with a drum-style magazine. He warned Worldaw’s friend not to move and demanded his property. 

Wordlaw stepped out of his car and fired at Thompson, who returned fire from both weapons he was holding, Rodgers continued. Thompson fell backward and continued shooting from a seated position, she said. Some of the bullets he fired apparently struck and disabled Wordlaw’s gun, according to Rodgers.

She said Wordlaw and his friend drove away in their cars as Thompson ran from the scene. Wordlaw, gravely injured by a single gunshot wound to his chest, crashed nearby. His friend quickly returned to the scene to speak with the police. Rodgers said he suffered graze wounds to his ankle and near his left eyebrow.

Chicago police, responding to multiple ShotSpotter alerts and 911 calls, recovered 70 shell casings at the scene. Only two of those shots appeared to come from Wordlaw’s weapon, parts of which were found on the gas station lot.

Thompson suffered a gunshot wound to his leg during the incident, Rodgers said. A blood stain on the gas station was shown to be consistent with Thompson’s DNA profile.

Rodgers said Thompson arrived at Insight Hospital in Bronzeville about 45 minutes after the shooting with a gunshot wound to his thigh. He gave the staff a fake name and lied about where he got shot, Rodgers stated. He ordered a Lyft to take him to the South Loop and then ordered a second Lyft to take him to Northwestern Memorial Hospital about an hour later, she said. The police detained him there.

On Thursday afternoon, Chicago police released a surveillance image of a green, older-model Chevy Tahoe that they believe is linked to the shooting. Investigators are still trying to find the car and have asked anyone with information about its location to call them at 312-747-8384.

Thompson is charged with first-degree murder, murder during the commission of another forcible felony, murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery by discharging a firearm, attempted armed robbery with a firearm, and armed habitual criminal.

Judge Susana Ortiz detained Thompson at the state’s request. Prosecutors told the judge that Thompson completed parole in January for a 2020 case in which he was found guilty of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

In that incident, Chicago police came upon Thompson’s car stuck on railroad tracks near the 11200 block of South Langley. They found a loaded handgun with a silencer attachment at his feet on the driver’s floorboard, according to a CPD report. Judge Kenneth Wadas sentenced him to eight years on September 21, 2021.

He was previously convicted of gun possession felonies in 2015, 2012, and 2010.