Man Shot By Chicago Police During Chase In Little Village Has Died
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A man who was in his 30s was in serious to critical condition Friday afternoon has died, after Chicago police shot him during an "armed encounter" in the Little Village neighborhood, as officers were responding to a report of shots fired. Police did not say if the man fired at officers.
The shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. near 26th and Ridgeway.
According to CPD "COPA investigators immediately responded to the scene and reviewed body worn camera video which captures the incident. As a part of its investigation, COPA investigators will continue to canvass the area for witnesses, third party video, pod cameras and other related information."
Chicago Police Chief of Operations Brian McDermott said officers were responding to a ShotSpotter report of gunfire near 26th and Hamlin, when they spotted a gray Ford Focus fleeing the scene.
Officers tried to stop the car, which crashed into a light pole while pulling into an alley on the 3700 block of West 26th Street, police said. Two males and a female got out of the car and fled the scene, including a man with a gun.
As officers gave chase, McDermott said they got into an "armed encounter" with the driver. Police said officers shot the man in the buttocks, and he was taken to the hospital in serious condition. Fire Department officials earlier reported the man was in critical condition.
Police have not said how many officers were involved in the chase, or how many officers fired their weapons.
McDermott did not answer when asked if the man who was shot had fired at police, but he said officers recovered two weapons -- a revolver found at the site where the man was shot, and a semiautomatic handgun found in the back seat of the car. The second male who was in the car at the time has been taken into custody, but the female who fled the scene is still on the loose.
Meantime, a person who had been shot at 26th and Hamlin was taken to a hospital in good condition with a graze wound to the head, according to McDermott.
Detectives were gathering evidence in the area, trying to locate potential witnesses, and checking for any surveillance video. McDermott said body camera footage from the officers involved will be turned over to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which is investigating the officers' use of force.
The officers involved are being placed on routine 30 days' administrative leave as COPA investigates. CPD asks if anyone has information regarding the incident or relevant video, to please contact 312-743-COPA (2672) or email COPA-info@chicagocopa.org.
