CHICAGO (WGN) A Chicago police officer is dead and another is injured after a shooting on the city’s South Side on Thursday night, according to the Chicago Police Department.
CPD Supt. Larry Snelling confirmed a 36-year-old female police officer was shot and killed near East 82nd Street and South Drexel Avenue. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead.
At a news conference early Friday morning, Snelling said a female officer was a part of an investigatory stop around 9:50 p.m. Thursday in the Chatham neighborhood where a person fled on foot. CPD officers pursued the person into an apartment.
According to Snelling, when CPD officers entered the apartment, they were confronted by a second individual who was armed with a rifle and pointed it at the officers.
“At some point, the officer discharged her weapon,” Snelling said. “Our officer was struck.”
CPD officers on scene then took her in a police cruiser to a local hospital. On the way there, however, Snelling said the first cruiser had a malfunction, and the female officer was moved to another police cruiser and when they arrived, she was pronounced dead.
“I want everyone to keep this officer’s family in your prayers and understand the risk she took every day when she came out to do her job,” Snelling said. “With no regard and understanding that it’s always possible when you’re doing this type of work that you may not return home.”
According to Snelling, the fallen officer a mother with a daughter, and had been serving on CPD for four years.
Snelling said two individuals in the apartment fled after the shooting and were later apprehended by assisting units. He also said several persons of interest are in custody, including someone who they believe was on scene when the armed individual confronted the officers.
CPD recovered three weapons from the scene of the incident.
Police said a second officer involved in the incident suffered an injuriy to their wrist and was taken to the hospital in fair condition.
An investigation into the deadly shooting is now underway by Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), as well as CPD’s Investigative Response Team.
Those with information on the shooting can contact COPA on their website or by calling 312-746-3609.
CPD’s full press conference, featuring Supt. Larry Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson, can be viewed in the video above.
