An off-duty Chicago police officer was in good condition after suffering a graze wound from a shooting on the South Side on Sunday, officials said.
The 43-year-old male police officer was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital after the shooting which occurred at about 2:30 p.m., according to Chicago Fire Department Chief Joseph Roccasalva. A witness said she heard nearly a half-dozen gun shots.
The shooting occurred near the intersection of LaSalle Street and 43rd Street, officials said.
Police had blocked off LaSalle Street from 43rd to 47th Street including the exit from the Northbound Dan Ryan Expressway at 51st Street. Police vehicles were clustered at two locations on 47th and 43rd Street.
At 47th Street the scene was marked off with red police tape and officers marked where shell casings appeared to have dropped. At 43rd Street, a gray Kia was curbed facing west on 43rd, just west of LaSalle Street.
In a statement by Chicago Police, officials said that the officer had received information about criminal activity taking place on the 100 block of West 80th Street at about 2:15 p.m. When he saw a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle he followed it while in contact with 911 officials, police said.
When the officer got to 47th Street at Lasalle Street, a person from the vehicle fired shots at the officer who also returned fire, police said. The offenders in the other vehicle fled the scene, according to the statement.
The officer sustained a gun shot graze wound to his side, officials said. No other injuries were reported, according to police.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
