Chicago, Illinois – A Chicago police officer was injured, and a 26-year-old man was killed in a shootout during a traffic stop, according to police. The incident occurred in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on the city’s West Side.
The wounded officer, who was shot in the wrist, is currently in good condition and receiving treatment in the hospital. Additionally, four other officers who were present at the scene but were not directly shot were also hospitalized for observation, the police reported.
The man who exchanged gunfire with the officers sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after the shooting. He was identified as Dexter Reed, 26, by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
The altercation erupted when officers pulled over a car in the Humboldt Park neighborhood around 6 p.m., leading to the exchange of gunfire. The exact number of officers who discharged their weapons during the incident was not immediately disclosed by the police.
Reports indicate that the ShotSpotter gunshot-detection system detected more than 50 rounds fired during the shootout. A firearm was recovered from the scene, adding to the evidence being reviewed by the authorities.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling addressed the shooting at a meeting of the Chicago Police Board, expressing hope for the swift recovery of the injured officer. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is currently conducting an investigation into the incident. Subsequently, the officer or officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative duties for the next 30 days, a standard procedure in such cases.
Another fatal shooting incident involving a 21-year-old mother and eight other victims over the weekend has further intensified concerns about gun violence in Chicago, as the city nears a total of 50 victims. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing and combating gun-related crimes in the city.