One Chicago police officer killed, second wounded in shooting at Swedish Hospital on North Side
A Chicago police officer was killed and a second seriously injured when a prisoner receiving treatment opened fire Saturday morning inside Swedish Hospital in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, authorities said. The suspect was later arrested following a standoff nearby.
At a news conference, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said a 38-year-old officer and 10-year veteran of the department was killed in the shooting, which occurred around 10:50 a.m. local time. A 57-year-old officer and 21-year veteran of the department was seriously injured. The officers were rushed to an area hospital, where one of them died, police said. No names were immediately released.
Police sources told CBS News Chicago that the prisoner somehow managed to obtain a gun and shoot at the officers.
The shooter then fled the hospital to a nearby home a few blocks away, sources said. SWAT teams surrounded the home and then took the suspect into custody. Snelling said a third gun was recovered, which police believe happened during the suspect’s arrest.
Snelling revealed that the suspect was initially arrested on suspicion of robbery and was taken to Swedish Hospital for observation before the shooting.
In a statement, Endeavor Health said no hospital staff or patients were injured in the incident.
“We are cooperating with law enforcement during their investigation and our deepest sympathy goes out to the officers and their families,” Endeavor said.
The shooting also prompted Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez to ask residents to shelter in place.
“We have asked neighbors to stay away from the area,” he said. “And we get the information necessary to ensure that justice is served, and we get information about what might need to be improved in terms of protocol if something that might have happened there would have allowed that to happen.”
Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson said Saturday’s shooting was a reminder of the dangers officers face.
“These are the dangers of policing,” Snelling said. “It’s a very, very, extremely dangerous job, but officers go out there every day and they do this job knowing that when they go into these environments they’re not safe, but they accept it and it’s the job they do.”
“I want to thank our Chicago Police Department for being there every day for the people of this city. I want to thank the city of Chicago for putting their arms around our officers,” Johnson said. “This tragedy and loss is not only heartbreaking, but a constant reminder of why we must continue to ensure our police department has the services and resources it needs to do its job effectively.”
A procession was held for the fallen officer from the Illinois Masonic Hospital to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
