Chicago Police Officer Shot During Gun Battle in Old Irving Park

The 32-year-old offender was fatally shot in the exchange, officials confirmed at a press conference

Editor's note: Updates to this developing story can be found here

A Chicago police officer and an innocent bystander were wounded and a suspect was killed in a "gun battle" in the city's Old Irving Park neighborhood Tuesday evening, authorities say.

The incident began as a bank robbery in Des Plaines around 4:30 p.m., where police responded to the scene and arrested one of the offenders who fled by foot, police said. A second offender however, remained at large and later stole a couple’s car and drove into the city of Chicago, authorities said at a press conference Tuesday night.

FBI along with Chicago and Des Plaines authorities were able to track the suspect’s whereabouts. Johnson said CPD officers were waiting for the suspect who exited the expressway at Irving Park Road at around 6:53 p.m. When the suspect realized he was being followed, he began firing at the CPD vehicles, managing to hit one of the officers in the temple of his head in the exchange.

NBC 5’s Patrick Fazio reports as part of team coverage regarding a Chicago police officer and two other individuals were left in critical condition after a ‘gun battle’ ensued in the city’s Old Irving Park neighborhood Tuesday evening.

The police pursuit continued until ending up at a music school located in the 4200 block of Irving Park Rd., Johnson went on to say.

“The offender and the Des Plaines police officer then exchanged gunfire,” Johnson said. “The 32-year-old offender was fatally shot in the exchange.”

A 15-year-old bystander, who was taking music lessons at the time, was also shot in the arm and in the abdomen and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital and was in stable condition, according to CPD.

NBC 5’s Natalie Martinez reports as part of team coverage regarding a Chicago police officer and two other individuals were left in critical condition after a ‘gun battle’ ensued in the city’s Old Irving Park neighborhood Tuesday evening.

On the other hand, the officer shot, a 17-year veteran of CPD, was recovering at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital.

Mayor Lightfoot mentioned during the press conference the one-year anniversary of the tragedy that struck at Mercy Hospital where an officer and three others lost their lives in a shooting, to highlight the service and sacrifice that officers make every single day.

“My wife and I are asking all Chicagoans to come together and pray for the officer who was shot this evening, as well as the young individual who was also shot in the crossfire,” Lightfoot said.

Dr. Katilius who attended the officer shot said the 46-year-old received “more than grazed wound…he was fortunate, he does have a skull fracture, he does have blood on the brain, he’s currently in serious but stable condition.”

The FBI is currently investigating the bank robbery, meanwhile Des Plaines police are investigating the carjacking and the Chicago Police Department is investigating the officer-involved shooting, officials said.

Initially, police said the officer engaged in a "gun battle" with an armed bank robbery suspect and was shot just after 7 p.m. near the intersection of Lowell Street and Irving Park Road. 

Sky 5 was over a massive police response in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood after reports of a police officer shot Tuesday evening.

The officer was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Guglielmi later said in tweet that "Imaging reveals the bullet did penetrate and exit the officers skull. Injuries are more serious than preliminary diagnosis."

A 15-year-old boy was shot during the gunfire and was transported to Lurie Children's Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, officials said. A 20-year-old man was also taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement on Twitter around 8:47 p.m. saying, "Tonight, our hearts are breaking as we're reminded of the service and sacrifice our officers make every day to protect us and keep our communities safe. We're monitoring the situation, and Amy and I are asking all Chicagoans to pray for the CPD officer who was shot this evening."

Contact Us