Chicago police officer injured in South Austin shooting; third officer wounded in a week
This is the 16 Chicago Police officer to be shot or shot at in 2021, according to CPD Supt. David Brown
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A peaceful end to an hours-long siege after a gunman suspected of shooting a Chicago police officer on the city's West Side Saturday was taken into custody by the CPD SWAT team.
"We did make contact with this individual inside, he just recently surrendered without incident to our officers' great work by SWAT and our negotiators," said CPD Supt. David Brown.
It began around 11:30 a.m. in the Austin neighborhood as police responded to a report of shots fired in the 100-block of N. La Crosse, according to police.
It was after officers arrived and began investigating that someone shot at them, police said.
"I was taking my dog out in the backyard. All of a sudden I heard these shots back here," described a witness. "I took my dog in the house and I ran to the front door and saw all the police cars."
The witness said they could see officers firing back at the suspect from their elevated first-floor apartment.
Officers did not hit the suspect, who then barricaded himself in a building in the area.
Investigators said during that second barrage of gunfire, a female officer was shot in the hand.
She was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in a police car with what is considered a non-life-threatening wound and was released a couple of hours later, officials said.
SWAT was soon called in, bringing heavily armed police to the scene.
They first established a perimeter around the three flat building where the gunman was believed to be hiding before getting in contact with the suspected shooter through one of their hostage negotiators.
"We evacuated the house and are interviewing all the people who were in there. Some were just innocent bystanders at home. But we have yet to confirm other people who may have been involved," Brown said.
A gun was recovered following the arrest, according to police.
Another officer was taken to the hospital to be checked out for another medical incident according to Brown.
Brown said the officers will not be identified until families are notified.
"This really highlights the dangers but it also highlights the bravery, dedication and commitment officers have in really running towards danger to protect the people of Chicago," said Brown.
RELATED: Off-duty Chicago police officer ambushed, shot in Calumet Heights
This is the third time in less than a week a where a police officer has been injured by gunfire. The first came on Sunday when an on-duty sergeant was shot standing in the parking lot outside the Gresham District Police station. A day later, an off-duty officer was ambushed by two men while sitting in his vehicle at a traffic light in Calumet Heights. No arrests have been made in either of those cases.
This is the 16 Chicago Police officer to be shot or shot at in 2021, according to Brown.
"This is the third officer shot this week, but this is the 16th officer shot at, or shot this year. After 79 officers were shot or shot at in 2020," he said.
Charges against the suspected gunman are still pending.
This is a developing story; check back with ABC 7 Chicago for updates.
