3 Officers Shot, Is It Time For National Guard in Chicago?

15 Mar, 2016

A shootout between Chicago police and a suspect during a drug investigation on the city’s West Side left the suspect dead and three officers wounded, authorities said.

The officers were rushed to Stroger Hospital late Monday for treatment of injuries that are not life-threatening, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

The shooting occurred as several police officers were investigating reported drug activity in a residential area of the Homan Square neighborhood, Guglielmi said. The officers observed a man and a woman acting suspiciously and decided to investigate further, announcing their presence, he said.

The pair fled, with police giving chase. The man ran into a gangway between two buildings and opened fire in the direction of the officers, hitting three of them multiple times, Guglielmi said.

He said one of the officers returned fire, fatally injuring the suspect. Guglielmi says the woman was arrested after a chase and was being questioned in connection with the shooting.

Neither suspect was identified by authorities, who added a gun used by the dead suspect was recovered at the scene.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Interim Police Superintendent John Escalante visited the officers and their families at the hospital.

“Every day the dedicated men and women of the Chicago Police Department put themselves in danger so the rest of us can be safe,” Emanuel said in a statement. “Tonight we were reminded of the dangers that our police face, and the bravery that they routinely display.”

Talking to reporters after visiting the officers, Escalante thanked the Illinois State Police for closing an expressway to allow the wounded officers quick transport to the hospital. Dozens of police officers met the ambulances at the hospital.

“I want to thank Chicago Fire Department paramedics for their quick response in getting our officers here safely,” he said. “Again, a thanks to the staff here at county hospital for taking care of our injured officers.”

Escalante said the officers have 10 to 12 years of experience and suffered “lowered body injuries.”

Police said in a statement that the city’s Independent Police Review Authorities will investigate. The officers involved will be put on standard administrative duties for 30 days.

AP

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