Man charged in shootings of Chicago police officer in West Englewood, woman in Fulton River District
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man accused of shooting a Chicago police officer in West Englewood and a woman in the Fulton River District has been charged in the shootings, police said Monday morning.
Michael Blackman, 45, exchanged fire with Chicago police officers at a home near 65th Street and Winchester Avenue as police were serving a warrant. Both Blackman and an officer were wounded in the shootout, police said.
"There's an initial confrontation and then he pulls out his gun and fires at this officer," said Chicago Police First Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio. "Most of the time at that point, the offenders are going to flee. He actually circles back around and comes back. The officer is now on the ground, he has been shot in the leg, he has got a broken bone in the bottom of the leg, Blackman actually comes back around and re-engages this officer and continues to fire at him while he is on the ground."
Blackman was at large for several hours before being apprehended in a rail yard at 64th Street and Bell Avenue, police said.
Police were serving a warrant for Blackman related to the shooting of a 28-year-old woman in Chicago's Fulton River District on Wednesday. Police said Blackman was dressed in black and rode a bicycle during the shooting.
RELATED: Video shows suspect in bike shop minutes before woman shot in Fulton River District
Monday, police said Blackman has been charged with five counts of attempted murder.
Police said they cracked the case thanks to an anonymous tip and then the Itasca police recognized him as they had an active warrant for his arrest for his alleged involvement in three burglaries. CPD also used several surveillance cameras to track Blackman to a house on the South Side.
A motive for the shooting of the woman in the Fulton River District is not known. At a press conference Monday, police said Blackman had previously delivered food to the building where the victim worked before he was fired. Police said Blackman had problems in the past with the building's security.
"He is the only one that can answer, right, and he wouldn't tell us, so the best motive that we could come up with -- and there is a little speculation here -- is he works for Jimmy John's as the delivery person down there and he delivers to her building several times," said Chicago Police Deputy Chief Brendan Deenihan. "Her building has very tight security and he has problems with the security officer every time he goes to deliver his Jimmy John's there."
According to police, 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.
Blackman is hospitalized in critical condition at Christ Hospital and is expected to recover.
The wounded officer remains hospitalized and police said they are optimistic for his recovery. The woman who was shot is also expected to recover.
