A Chicago police officer died following a shooting on Monday night in the East Chatham neighborhood on the city’s South Side, authorities said.
“I come to you with a heavy heart because we’ve lost another police officer who was out working, attempting to protect the city and was tragically taken away from us by gunfire,” Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said at a news briefing early Tuesday morning.
The shooting occurred at around 8 p.m. near Ingleside Avenue and East 82nd Street, shortly after officers pulled over a vehicle with three people inside. As officers approached the vehicle, rapid gunfire erupted from one of the individuals, and the officer was struck multiple times, Snelling said.
The wounded officer was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The officer, who was 26 years old, served with the Chicago Police Department for nearly three years, Snelling said. Chicago police officials didn’t immediately identify the officer out of respect for his family.
“He was a proud individual, very hardworking, and he gave his life for this city,” Snelling said. “There’s a family grieving. Please, please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers because this is harder than anyone knows, having someone taken suddenly from you like that.”
According to police, a second person inside the vehicle was injured by gunfire and died from their injuries. A handgun was found in that individual’s possession, police said. The suspect who shot the officer tried to escape in the vehicle but wasn’t able to and ran away, Snelling stated. That person was eventually apprehended by officers.
At least one officer fired shots during the incident, according to police.
A second weapon with an extended magazine was recovered at the scene, authorities said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson called on Chicagoans to embrace one another and to pray for the officer’s family.
“This tragic loss cuts deep,” he said. “The wound is severe. The only way we’ll get through this tragic loss is if we put our arms around one another. recognize the value and the bravery of our police department who put their lives on the line for us every day.”
Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability was called to the shooting, per department protocol. Anyone with information on the incident was asked to call COPA at 312-746-3609 or visit its website.
