A shooting incident on Saturday afternoon in the Washington Park neighbourhood resulted in a multiple vehicle crash that left eight people injured, including four Chicago police officers. According to authorities, the crash was connected to the shooting that occurred outside the 3rd District police station on 7040 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
The shooting incident unfolded when a man and a woman were approached by a vehicle near the sidewalk. At least one person inside the vehicle brandished a gun and fired shots, injuring the man in the thigh and grazing the woman’s buttocks. Both victims were swiftly transported to the hospital and are reported to be in good condition.
Chicago police officers quickly responded to the scene and located the suspects’ vehicle in the 5400 block of South State Street. However, as officers were in the process of apprehending the suspects, a crash involving four police officers occurred. Two of the injured officers were rushed to the hospital in serious-to-critical condition, while a third officer was listed in fair-to-serious condition. The fourth officer self-transported to the hospital.
In addition to the injured officers, three other individuals were taken to an area hospital in fair-to-serious condition. Another victim was reported to be in good-to-fair condition. Fire officials confirmed that four suspects were taken into custody, and two handguns were recovered from the scene.
Illinois State Representative Angie Guerrero-Cuellar released a statement on Saturday night, revealing that her husband was one of the responding Chicago police officers injured in the crash. She expressed gratitude for the support and requested thoughts and prayers for everyone involved.
“We are surrounded by our family and family in blue,” Rep. Guerrero-Cuellar stated. “I ask that you keep everyone involved in your thoughts and prayers. This is the phone call no family ever wants to receive. Thank you for all the phone calls, text messages, prayers, and support.”
Authorities continue to investigate both the shooting incident and the subsequent crash, aiming to gather more information about the events leading up to these unfortunate incidents.
