OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) — A confrontation during a traffic stop in Oak Park turned fatal when a police officer shot a suspect amid a scuffle over a firearm, authorities reported. The incident occurred on Sunday night.
According to police, an officer initiated the traffic stop around 9:10 p.m., targeting a black SUV in the vicinity of Harrison Street and Austin Boulevard.
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The vehicle was occupied solely by a male driver.
The officer requested the driver to exit the SUV and subsequently conducted a frisk, as stated by police officials.
During this search, the officer discovered a concealed weapon.
As the officer tried to secure the gun, the driver managed to seize it, leading to a struggle, police added.
That’s when the officer shot the driver with his service weapon, police said.
Oak Park police rendered aid until the suspect was taken to Loyola University Medical Center. The suspect died just before 10 p.m., police said.
The officer was also taken to Loyola for injuries he suffered during the incident, but was released Monday morning.
A gun with a defaced serial number was found at the scene, police said.
The suspect has not yet been publicly identified.
The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation.
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