CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago man is facing charges after a police-involved shooting Friday afternoon on the South Side left two officers and a suspect injured, Chicago police officials said.
Authorities identified the suspect as 34-year-old Malik Wrightsell of Chicago. He has been charged with multiple offenses, including attempted first-degree murder.
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The shooting prompted a large police response near South Chappel Avenue and East 79th Street, where Chopper 7 captured dozens of officers and squad cars gathered in the area Friday.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability confirmed it was responding to the officer-involved shooting in the 2000 block of East 79th Street.
Officials said the two officers were transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center with gunshot wounds.
A Chicago police spokesperson told ABC7 that both officers were expected to recover.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling later addressed the incident during a Friday evening news conference, offering additional details about what led to the gunfire.
According to CPD officials, the encounter began with a traffic stop. Police said the suspect tried to run, prompting officers to pursue him. During an ensuing struggle, the suspect allegedly shot one officer in the vest, and that officer returned fire. In the exchange, the suspect was shot, and a second officer was struck in the arm.
The officer shot in the arm underwent success surgery, Snelling. said. The suspect was reported to be in critical condition at Northwestern Hospital.
The two male officers, ages 30 and 27, each have four years on the force, just embarking on their careers.
An off-road vehicle was spotted in the aftermath of the violent encounter.
Superintendent Snelling, who this week announced his pending retirement, took the opportunity to reiterate policing is as dangerous a job as they come, and that while the officers involved here were lucky the danger they face is omnipresent.
Wrightsell is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
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