Chicago officers targeted in ambush-style shooting, sources say

CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago police officers responding to a call Friday night in Little Village became the target of an alleged gang-related shooting, police sources said.

Officers were responding to a call near West 24th Street and South Sacramento Avenue around 10:45 p.m. Friday night for a report of four males standing in the street stopping vehicles and pointing guns when they were fired upon.  

In surveillance video obtained by WGN-TV, two suspects could be seen in a gangway waiting for officers to pass before opening the gate to run out. One suspect then shouts “[expletive] them up” as the other ran into the street and opened fire.

The back of the squad car was hit once by a bullet and four shell casings were recovered at the scene, police sources told WGN TV. No officers were struck by gunfire or wounded in the incident.

Four shots were fired by the suspect, who is then captured on video, along with the other suspect, running back through the gangway toward an alleyway. At one point, the alleged gunman pauses to toss a gun before he continues running.

A 9mm handgun with an extended magazine was later recovered in a nearby yard, police sources said.

A neighbor who has lived on the street for 30 years told WGN-TV he heard the gunshots and that the shooting left him shaken up. He said that more recently he no longer feels comfortable being outside longer than he needs to be.

According to police sources, four males were taken into custody while trying to run from the scene. As of Tuesday night, no charges had been filed in the case and the investigation remains ongoing.

“It’s definitely super unfortunate that people don’t take it seriously and leave doors open because it was an easy way for the people with the guns to just run around the neighborhood and be able to kind of trick the police officers,” said a woman who owns a building adjacent to the gangway through which the suspects ran.

The woman, who WGN-TV is not naming, said she has heard concerns from her tenants about safety in the area. She said the gates on both sides of the gangway were supposed to be locked.

“I do hear from my tenants that they are scared, so it does upset me when doors aren’t locked and things are left open, so that’s something we do have to reiterate to them,” the woman said.

The landlord said she is grateful no officers or residents were injured and is saddened this happened. She wants young people to consider the consequences of pulling the trigger, not only when it comes to the lives of others they endanger, but the consequences they could face for doing it.

“It’s so stupid. You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes,” the woman said.