Chicago police officer shot, injured in South Loop

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago police officer was shot and injured in the South Loop near 18th and Calumet, a Chicago police spokesman confirms.

The officer was shot in the lower body and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. Supt. Eddie Johnson said the gunshot wound was to the officer's thigh and is not life-threatening. The officer is expected to be okay.

Supt. Johnson said the officer and his partner approached a man acting erratically in a park while talking on a cell phone and asked the man to hang up so they could talk to him. At that time, Johnson said, the man pulled a gun out of a backpack and opened fire.

Multiple officers returned fire, Johnson said, shooting and killing the suspect. Johnson said he was not sure if the suspect died at the scene or en route to the hospital.

The shot officer had received medical training and applied a tourniquet to his leg, while his partner applied pressure to help slow the bleeding. He was transported by squad car to the hospital.

"It's another example of too many guns, too many people willing to use them," Johnson said. "But it also demonstrates how Chicago police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep people safe."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel released a statement on the shooting, saying, "Tonight the thoughts and prayers of Chicago are with our brave police officer who was shot answering a call as he worked to keep our streets safe. He is an example the courageous and selfless men and women in the Chicago Police Department who do difficult and dangerous work every day, often with little fanfare. Amy and I are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery, and our thoughts are with the officer's family, friends, and his fellow brave men and women in uniform."