A suspect is dead and a [Loss Probation Associate] at a Brighton Park retailer is gravely hurt after multiple shootings occurred Thursday afternoon, Chicago police said.
A Chicago police officer who was trying to pursue the suspect in the shooting was shot in the shoulder, and will likely require surgery, according to Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown.
The incident started at approximately 4 PM in the 2400 block of West 46th Street. Police believe that the unidentified suspect was suspected of shoplifting at a Home Depot store near the location, and was confronted by a [loss prevention associate].
A struggle ensued, and the suspect shot the officer at the location before fleeing the scene.
A Chicago police officer began to pursue the suspect and was also shot. The officer was hit in the shoulder and was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries and released before 8 PM.
Chicago police officers later located the suspect and an exchange of gunfire took place, with the suspect receiving at least one gunshot wound.
He was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival, Brown said.
The superintendent did not name the officer, saying that the department is still in the process of notifying family members.
Brown emphasized the bravery of officers, saying that this is the fourth Chicago police officer to be shot in the last two weeks.
“I get questions all the time about what the department is doing about shootings. What we are doing is risking our lives every day to protect this city,” he said. “That’s what we’re doing. The brave men and women of this department are unmatched…” NBC5 News