Police Officer Shoots 17-Year-Old Who Pointed Gun At Him In South Shore
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago police officer shot a 17-year-old boy outside a dollar store in the South Shore neighborhood Monday night, after the teen allegedly pointed a gun at the officer in the parking lot.
Police said the uniformed officer stopped at the Family Dollar at 79th and Yates to pick up some water in between calls around 9:30 p.m., and had just returned to his marked squad car, when an armed suspect approached and pointed a gun at him.
The officer removed his gun from his holster and shot the suspect, police said. Officials said there was no prior interaction between the officer and the suspect.
One man who lives in the neighborhood heard the commotion, and went outside to check. The witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said he saw the suspect running from police.
"He took off, ran toward the alley, and that's where they trapped him in," he said.
The 17-year-old suspect was taken to the University of Chicago trauma center in serious condition.
Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said he was informed of the shooting shortly after it happened.
"It was a little bit difficult to sleep last night, but I'm very thankful that this situation did not result in a devastating tragedy," he said.
Johnson said the teen who was shot has a criminal history, but he could not provide details because the suspect is a juvenile.
"I can't tell you all what this young man was thinking, but his actions were clearly extremely dangerous," Johnson said. "We as a city, and as a society, need to do better in supporting our young people so they're not led down a path like this one."
Police said the suspect's weapon was recovered at the scene.
The officer who shot the suspect has been placed on administrative duties for 30 days.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was investigating the shooting.
A COPA spokesperson said parts of the incident were recorded on police dashcam video. Sources said the officer's body camera was not activated.
COPA investigators planned to search the area for additional surveillance video and witnesses.
