Shots fired by Chicago police on Near North Side; person of interest in custody, officials say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said it is investigating an officer-involved shooting Sunday evening on the city's Near North Side.

The shooting happened in the 300-block of West Division Street near North Wells Street, just west of the Gold Coast area, COPA said.

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Officers had responded to the location around 6:50 p.m. to conduct a traffic stop for a report of a person with a gun, Chicago police officials said in a statement late Sunday. A suspect attempted to flee the scene, striking a police squad car with their vehicle, police said. One officer fired their weapon at the offending vehicle.

The suspect fled after the shooting, but the wanted vehicle was later found in the 300 block of West North Avenue, police said. One person of interest was taken into custody.

There was a large police presence Sunday night on the Near North Side due to the incident.

As of 10 p.m., police were at the scene of the shooting for about three hours investigating, and Division remained shut down near Wells. Officers were stopping residents on the block before allowing them through.

People living around the area told tell ABC7 it was a chaotic scene, with many people hearing multiple gunshots fired and several squad cars rushing into the neighborhood.

One resident, James Grillo, explained what they witnessed from inside their apartment as the situation unfolded.

"We immediately jumped out of bed and started staring out the window... and then next thing I knew I heard six shots rang out," Grillo said. 'We both jumped back and it scared us, and a silver car came bolting out of there and down Wells, and I didn't see where after that, but it was speeding dodging traffic. It was wild."

No officers were injured in the shooting, but an officer was taken to a hospital for observation, CPD said.

It was not immediately known if there were any other injuries related to the incident.

COPA is conducting a use of force investigation. The officer involved has bene place on administrative duties.

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