2 Chicago police officers, suspect injured in police-involved shooting on South Side, officials say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two Chicago police officers and a suspect were injured in a police-involved shooting Friday afternoon on the city's South Side, CPD officials said.

Chopper 7 was over the scene South Chappel Avenue and East 79th Street. Dozens of police officers and squad cars could be seen in the area.

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COPA confirmed it is responding to the officer-involved shooting in the 2000 block of East 79th Street.

The officers were taken to the University of Chicago hospital with gunshot wounds, officials said.

A police spokesperson told ABC7 the officers were expected to be okay.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling provided an update at a news conference Friday evening.

During a traffic stop, a suspect attempted to flee and officers pursued, CPD officials said. During a struggle, the suspect shot an officer in the vest, and the officer returned fire. During the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was shot and another officer was shot in the arm.

The officer shot in the arm underwent success surgery, Snelling. said. The suspect was reported to be in critical condition at Northwestern Hospital.

The two male officers, ages 30 and 27, each have four years on the force, just embarking on their careers.

An off-road vehicle was spotted in the aftermath of the violent encounter.

Superintendent Snelling, who this week announced his pending retirement, took the opportunity to reiterate policing is as dangerous a job as they come, and that while the officers involved here were lucky the danger they face is omnipresent .

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