Man seriously injured in South Austin shootout involving off-duty CPD officer, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating after a man was seriously injured in a shootout involving an off-duty Chicago police officer.

ABC7 spoke exclusively to the mother of the man shot. She says the officer was trying to protect her son.

Police said the shooting happened in the South Austin neighborhood's 1000-block of South Mayfield Avenue just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

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Five people, including two off-duty CPD officers, were inside a parked vehicle. Police said a 26-year-old man got out of that vehicle, and someone inside another vehicle started shooting, striking him.

Two people inside the vehicle, including one off-duty CPD officer, returned fired toward the shooter, who fled the scene, officials said.

Police said the off-duty officers and two other passengers took the injured 26-year-old to a local hospital, where he is listed in serious condition.

No one is in custody, and no officers were injured, police said.

The shooting victim's mother, Angela Blake, says this was a case of self-defense. She said the off-duty police officer was helping to shield her son from gunfire after the victim was already shot, she says, by someone her son doesn't know.

"I imagine it could've been much worse because this person was out to just kill him," Blake said.

Bullet holes and shattered glass at the scene detail the violence that unfolded early Saturday morning, seconds after Blake's 26-year-old son was dropped off at his home in South Austin.

"He noticed a car looking suspicious and he was watching, and the car stopped and somebody got out in all black, and start walking towards him and started shooting," Blake said.

That's when Blake says her other son, a CCL holder, and her son's best friend, who an off-duty Chicago police officer, ran to the victim, shielding him from the suspect and returned fire.

"And, they kept shooting and they shot up the truck and it just went from there," Blake said.

After hours of trying to seek answers, Blake finally was able to see her son at the hospital.

"A sense of joy hit me to just see him, and give him a hug," Blake said.

Police say the off-duty officer has since been relieved of his police powers while COPA investigates.

"His job is to serve and protect. He gave an oath for that," Blake said.

Blake says the officer doesn't deserve to be relived of powers during the investigation.

"I thank him, and I'll try to do what I can to make sure that they keep him on the force," Blake said. "He did what he did as an officer. He should be rewarded, not un-rewarded."

ABC7 spoke to the shooting victim off-camera. He is now out of the hospital and is preparing for an upcoming surgery to his hand. The family said he has more than a year of recovery ahead.

The CPD Investigative Response Team is currently investigating the shooting. No one has been arrested.

Authorities did not immediately provide further information.

COPA asked anyone with information to call them at 312-746-3609 or visit https://www.chicagocopa.org/.

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