Suspect wanted for shooting Chicago police officer now in custody
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The suspect wanted for shooting a Chicago police officer in West Englewood Saturday morning is in custody, according to police.
Chicago police tracked Michael Blackman, 45, Saturday afternoon to an alley near 64th and Hoyne, where he allegedly exchanged gunfire with officers before getting away.
Officers later confronted him in a rail yard at 64th Street and Bell Avenue, where he was eventually apprehended.
It all began Saturday morning when the Chicago Police Department's Fugitive Apprehension Team were serving a warrant at a home near 65th Street and Winchester. Blackman is wanted for shooting a 29-year-old woman while riding a bike in the Fulton River District on Wednesday.
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"The fugitive team went over there and they knocked on the door. The defendant came out the back door. That's when he shot the officer," said Chicago Police Deputy Chief Brendan Deenihan.
The 40-year-old officer was hit multiple times. A 16-year Chicago police veteran, the officer applied a tourniquet to his leg to stop the bleeding while other officers placed him into a squad car and rushed him to the hospital.
Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson commended the officers for their quick thinking.
"To the officers credit, we're hearing that he placed a tourniquet on himself so all those factors together, it is putting a smile on our faces right now," Johnson said.
Blackman remained at large for several hours after allegedly shooting the officer Saturday morning, leaving many in the community on edge as multiple law enforcement agencies canvased the area. Authorities later identified private surveillance video following his movements.
"Based upon the investigation, it appears that he may have fled to this location. He may have been hiding at that location in the weeds," Deenihan said.
Blackman was shot multiple times during the exchange of gunfire with officers, investigators said.
Police released photos of a gun they recovered at the scene.
Investigators haven't yet determined the reason behind the shooting that sparked the manhunt earlier this week.
"We do not have any additional motive," Deenihan said. "It appears that he randomly targeted and shot this poor woman."
Blackman has an extensive arrest history dating back to 1991. His charges include burglary, battery, domestic battery, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, driving on a suspended license and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot visited the officer at the hospital. She also tweeted, commending the "quick and heroic work of Chicago police officers and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners."
Several police agencies including SWAT teams, U.S. Marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives all responded to the scene.
