3 Chicago police officers injured in deadly chase and shootout

Three Chicago police officers were injured and a suspect killed in a shootout following a foot chase through a dimly lit courtyard on the city’s west side, authorities said.

The shootout occurred at about 9:40 p.m. as the officers were investigating “possible narcotics activity,” police said in a statement. They approached a man who took off running and then turned and fired, hitting one officer in the back, another in the foot and the third officer in the chest, possibly in his bullet-proof vest, police said.

At least one of the officers returned fire and killed the suspect, Sgt. Al Stinites said at the scene late Monday.

The officers, all veterans with about 10 to 12 years on the police force, were expected to survive, authorities said. One of the officers was in serious-to-critical condition late Monday, a source said.

The tactical officers had been responding to complaints about narcotics when they saw a man and a woman “going through the courtyard that they had under investigation,” Interim Police Superintendent John Escalante said.

The officers approached to talk to them and announced they were police officers, Escalante said. That’s when the man ran away, officials said.

“Officers gave chase and followed one of the offenders into a dark gangway between two buildings. At some point, the offender fired shots at pursuing officers, striking three,” Stinites said. One of the officers managed to fire back, he said.

“Shots fired, squad, shots fired at the police and by the police, squad,” an officer radioed from the scene. “Squad, we’re on Polk, Polk and Arthington.”

Seconds later, an officer breathing heavily radioed, “I think I have an officer shot squad, officer shot.”

The transmission is followed immediately with, “We need an ambulance, offender’s down, weapon’s recovered, I have possibly two officers shot.”

A few minutes later, the dispatcher is told three officers have been shot.

State police shut down part of the Eisenhower Expressway as the officers were taken to a hospital. Damen Avenue also was closed to clear the way for ambulances just as the United Center was emptying of Blackhawks fans.

A young officer on the street made the sign of the cross as Ambulance 23, the second to arrive, passed over the bridge on Damen and pulled into the bay at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

Dozens of officers stood under the awning of Emergency Bay 3 as the first ambulance was unloaded. The officer was in uniform and sitting up, talking to the people who were carrying him. Every few minutes, sirens would pierce the otherwise quiet area.

Each ambulance arrived to a few dozen officers waiting at the door to the emergency room. When the third ambulance was unloaded, officers stood for a moment before fanning out and clearing the parking lot of those watching.

Escalante said Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited the officers Monday night.

“The mayor was here as well, and he also spoke to all three officers as well as their families,” Escalante said. “I want to thank Chicago Fire Department paramedics for their quick response in getting our officers here safely, as well as a thanks to the state police for helping as the ambulances went down the Eisenhower Expressway. Again, a thanks to the staff here at County Hospital for taking care of our injured officers.”

Emanuel released a statement, saying that “every day [officers] put themselves in danger so the rest of us can be safe.”

“Tonight we were reminded of the dangers that our police face, and the bravery that they routinely display as three of our officers were shot in line of duty,” Emanuel said in the statement. “The thoughts and prayers of our entire city are with the officers and their families during this difficult time.”

Escalante said a gun was recovered from the man who died, and the woman was taken into custody.

The officers involved in the shootout were placed on administrative duties for 30 days, a policy implemented after police shot and killed Quintonio LeGrier, 19, and Bettie Jones, 55, a downstairs neighbor, on the west side on Dec. 26.

Monday’s shooting is the first of a Chicago police officer since November 2014.

Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt contributed.