The 9th district police officer was shot during a walking chase at about 5 pm on block 2400 on West 46th Street while chasing a shoplifting suspect in a store who shot a security guard at a nearby Home Depot in Supt. Said David Brown.
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The alleged sniper, who continued running after shooting the guard and the policeman, was later killed in a shootout with other police officers, the police said.
The police officer was shot in the shoulder and was treated for non-fatal injuries at Monte. Sinai Hospital, Brown said. He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday night, flanked by a force of Chicago police, alert and attentive, while each greeted the injured policeman.
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The guard, who is in his 50s, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, said Chicago fire department spokesman Larry Merritt. In a statement, the police said the guard was shot in the head.
Councilman Raymond Lopez said the security guard died on Friday morning.
When the suspect ran away, the police chased him and one of them was shot, Brown said. Brown declined to disclose his name or any information about him.
After the shooting, other officers continued to pursue the suspect, Brown said. The suspect was shot and killed during a police shootout, Brown said.
Amy and I want a speedy recovery for the @Chicago_Police officer shot while responding to an incident on the southwest side. Although we are relieved to know that he is in good condition, it is absolutely amazing that he was the fourth police officer shot in two weeks.
– Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) March 26, 2021
A security guard was also shot and is in serious condition. Tonight’s incident is another sobering reminder of the dangers our officers face in keeping their Chicago companions safe. Please keep these two in your prayers.
– Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) March 26, 2021
At the scene of the shooting, officers blocked a 46th Street residential stretch between Western Avenue and Rockwell Street while residents gathered behind police tape to catch a glimpse of the investigation and exchange rumors about the sound of helicopters.
In the past two weeks, three other Chicago police officers have been wounded in shootings.
“I get questions all the time about what the department is doing about the violence, what we are doing with the shootings, what we are doing with the homicides. What we are doing is risking our lives every day to protect this city “said Brown. .
He noted that police officers across the country are “under attack”, reflecting on the police officer who was shot and killed in response to the recent shooting in Boulder, Colorado.
“But here in Chicago … it’s the idea that the police are putting their lives at risk every day, and it looks like these criminals are acting with impunity,” said Brown. “And yet, with hypercritics, the officers continue to run towards danger.”
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Last Saturday, a police officer was shot in the hand during a SWAT confrontation in the Austin neighborhood by a man who allegedly wanted to “lure” police officers into the area. On March 15, an off-duty officer was ambushed by two armed men while being stopped in traffic in the Calumet Heights neighborhood.
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And the day before that, a CPD sergeant on duty was shot while in the parking lot of the Gresham district police station at 7808 S. Halsted St. The bullet grazed his chin and he was discharged from a hospital more late that day.
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The Chicago Civil Law Enforcement Office is investigating the shooting. Anyone with information should contact 312-746-3609 or visit chicagocopa.org.
Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
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