A decorated Chicago police officer is recovering in an intensive care unit this afternoon after being shot in the chest during a chase on the South Side, authorities say. A person of interest is being questioned.
South Chicago District tactical officer Del Pearson, 47, was shot just above his bulletproof vest and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he underwent surgery through the night, according to Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.
Doctors' first priority was to stop the bleeding, and while the bullet remained lodged near Pearson's spine, McCarthy told reporters outside the hospital around 6:30 a.m., "He's holding his own."
Pearson's wife, two children, mother and pastor were at the hospital, he said. "This guy's a great cop," the superintendent continued. Pearson joined the department in 2003 and has received 109 department awards and commendations, including the Superintendent's Award of Valor.
The bullet entered Pearson's upper chest and traveled to the neck area, according to Pat Camden, a spokesman for the police union. He said Pearson was out of surgery by 7:15 a.m. but had lost a lot of blood.
"They were able to finally stop the bleeding," Camden said. "They estimate that he lost two-thirds of his blood."
Pearson remained in critical condition and was recovering in the intensive care unit, he said. "It's absolutely good news," Camden said. "He's got a long road to recovery but at least he's past the first step."
Around 8 a.m., the police department released a statement saying Pearson's "prognosis is good."
The person of interest being questioned is 20 years old and is believed to have gang ties, police said. On Monday, McCarthy had blamed gangs for much of the violence in the city and said they were linked to many of the dozens of shootings over the weekend, including the death of a 6-year-old girl.
Pearson, who has been on the force about eight years, was shot about 10:45 p.m. in the 8400 block of South Kingston Avenue after responding to a "juvenile disturbance," police said, citing preliminary reports. Officers tried to stop four people for curfew violations and one of them fled into an alley, according to police News Affairs.
Pearson chased the person into a front yard, where the person turned around and fired shots, striking the officer in the upper body, the police statement said. The gunman fled as the officer fired back, sources said.
Officers executed two search warrants and took the 20-year-old into custody, police said. Detectives also questioned several witnesses and believe they know where the gun is, according to McCarthy.
The block where the shooting occurred is lined with single-family houses.
John Smith was in bed with his wife Andrea when they heard what sounded like firecrackers. Smith then saw squad cars "zooming" outside his house at the corner of 85th and Kingston. He went to the backyard to see if anyone was hiding there.
Smith, his wife and his stepdaughter, Jennifer McElroy, have lived in their house for years. They say the neighborhood has gradually gotten more dangerous.
Monday night's shooting was at least the second there in the last week. On March 14, Ronald Guidry, 26, was shot and killed inside a car in the same block on Kingston.
"It's kind of sad when you have individuals who have no respect for the police," said John Smith shortly before driving to his job as a delivery driver for USA Today.
McElroy recalled how safe she felt when she was a little girl, riding her bicycle up and down the street. "Hopefully this is not going to be a weekly thing," McElroy said.
As news of the shooting spread overnight, Pearson's co-workers and friends said he is a hard-working cop who loves his job.
"He's just a very busy, active guy who is always following up on leads," said a sergeant who knows the wounded officer.
The Superintendent's Award of Valor is given to an officer "for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism" demonstrating "selflessness, personal courage and devotion to duty." Pearson also has received 87 honorable mentions and seven department commendations.
Dozens of marked and unmarked police vehicles lined both sides of the street leading to the emergency room at Christ Hospital in the hours after the shooting.
At the scene, meanwhile, scores of uniformed and plainclothes officers descended on a three- to four-block area of the South Chicago neighborhood. Fifty to 75 officers were stationed at the intersection of 85th and Kingston, including one holding an assault rifle. A group of about 20 officers canvassed the 8500 block of South Kingston, a block away from the crime scene.
Several police vehicles continuously patrolled while groups of other officers were walking through alleys with flashlights. About a dozen officers also searched a two-story residential building at the southwest corner of 85th and Kingston and escorted a woman and a baby from the building.
Andy Grimm contributed to this report.
Copyright 2012 - Chicago Tribune
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
