Three members of the Chicago Police Department were shot outside a police station while arresting a man for a violent carjacking.
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown told reporters that three officers were shot outside of the station after the carjacking suspect opened fire on them while they attempted to bring him into the station around 9:40 a.m. local time on Thursday morning.
An officer who was shot in the chin needed to be revived twice and is considered to be in “very critical” condition. A second officer was shot in the hip but was considered to be in stable condition. Another was shot in the chest, but the gunshot did not penetrate the officer’s bulletproof vest.
It is not yet clear how the suspect was able to get a gun to shoot the officers. CBS 2 reported that witnesses claimed the suspect used his own gun, which he somehow managed to keep in his possession during the arrest. More than 50 shots were fired between officers and the suspect, who was also wounded and taken to a hospital.
“I want to strongly emphasize the inherent dangers that these and all Chicago police officers experience every, every day protecting the residents of Chicago. When they leave home, they leave their loved ones and put their stars on and risk everything. They risk everything protecting all of us,” Brown said.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also released a statement about the officers via Twitter.
“I ask everyone in our city to join me in praying for the @Chicago_Police officers shot and injured this morning in the line of duty. We’re continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available,” she wrote. “Today is a searing reminder of the danger our men and women of our Police Department face every day they put on their uniforms and leave their homes. This is the sacrifice they make in order to serve and protect our city and fellow residents.”
Today is a searing reminder of the danger our men and women of our Police Department face every day they put on their uniforms and leave their homes. This is the sacrifice they make in order to serve and protect our city and fellow residents.
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 30, 2020
Not everyone was concerned about the officers, however. According to a report from Fox News, some bystanders celebrated when they heard officers were injured.
“A young woman just said ‘F*** ya’ ‘solidarity baby’ with a smile —after being told the commotion outside a Chicago hospital was from a police officer being shot,” Fox News reporter Matt Finn tweeted.
A young woman just said “F*** ya” “solidarity baby” with a smile —after being told the commotion outside a Chicago hospital was from a police officer being shot.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) July 30, 2020
