According to the Police Superintendent, Mr. David O. Brown, the incident occurred on Wednesday, around 4:45 p.m. in the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue in the Gage Park neighborhood.
Before the deadly happening took place, a woman called 911 (police dept.) asking for help as a man with a gun was chasing her down the street. In correspondence to her call officers came to rescue in two cars.
Officer from the first car, knocked the door of the home at the block, the location from where they had received a call. And officers from the second car began to chase the 18-year-old suspect, who was running far away from the cops along with a gun. After a certain time, gun shots were exchanged at a close range between the officers and the suspect.
An officer was shot several times by the suspect and out of agitation the other officer kicked of the gun hard from his hands and struck his head severely. Apparently, both the 5-year veteran of police force and the 18-year-old suspect were taken to the nearby Mt. Sinai Hospital, where both were admitted. The officer was in “extremely critical condition”, when he was taken to the hospital. But he couldn’t survive and died of the gunshot injuries on his face and leg. On the other hand, the suspect gunman survived the wound on his head. As per Brown, the suspect was already under record of the Police dept. as has done one prior criminal offense.
Mourning to the incident that happened on Wednesday, the Chicago Police Department tweeted as, “Earlier today, we lost one of our own. An on-duty police officer was fatally shot while responding to a person with a gun call. Please pray for this officer’s family, loved ones, partner and all of our Chicago Police officers who are grieving this tremendous loss”.
Commemorating the police officer’s bravery and valour, brown said that, “They were there to protect this victim. They were willing to put their lives on the line to protect this victim.” The officer “had a bright future ahead of him,” Brown added. “I ask that this city cover this officer’s family. This is a family of public servants. As you can imagine, they are taking this tragedy very, very hard. This is something that no family should have to face.”
Brown also said that the officer’s partners, fellow officers throughout the department and the country are all grieving the loss. “Policing is a big family, people who know at some point they may be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice, but you never wish or hope that it actually happens; and tonight, this tragedy did. There are some broken hearts that will take a long time to grieve, to accept this.”
The mishap happened on the same day when the Superintendent Mr. Brown announced his resignation and also a day later when the mayor lost her bid for Re-election. As soon as they got the information, both of them rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital.
After the incident came to notice by the Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, he said, “This is a terrible tragedy for our city and we are mourning along with the officer’s family. I want to remind people that every single day, on every shift, officers run to danger for our safety. … They need our thanks, they need our support, they need to know that everyone in our city has their backs,” Lightfoot said. The Mayor has requested the officers to consult counseling and peer support services as they all are shocked and mourning upon the officer’s demise.
Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson, are the two candidates who will be replacing Mr. Lori. In correspondence to the situation, Paul Vallas said, “The courageous men and women of the Chicago police department have suffered another tragic loss of one of their own to the ultimate sacrifice of protecting our communities. My heartfelt thoughts are with the officer’s loved ones and the entire CPD family who are grieving during this difficult time. This is a tragic reminder of what our police officers do each and every day, laying their lives on the line for us. This violence must come to an end.”
Brandon Johnson grieved by saying, “This is a sad and sorrowful day for our city, and my heart goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of the Chicago police officer whose life was taken in the line of duty in Gage Park this afternoon. I am praying for healing for all those close as we await further details on this tragedy.”
