Man accused of hitting, dragging CPD officer with car during West Side traffic stop charged with attempted murder

CHICAGO (WGN) — An attempted murder charge has been handed down to a Chicago man accused of hitting and dragging a CPD officer with his car during a traffic stop on the city’s West Side.

Authorities said 40-year-old Malcolm Harris, a South Austin resident, has been charged with one felony count of attempted first-degree murder and one felony count of aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon.

Officers said the charges against Harris stem from his alleged role in the crash, which unfolded around 6:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, in the 4700 block of West Madison Street in Austin.

According to an initial report by police, the crash occurred after officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a driver who was allegedly spotted driving erratically.

Officers said they began their investigation after pulling the suspect over, but during the stop, he allegedly attempted to flee in his vehicle.

During the escape attempt, Harris allegedly struck a CPD officer and dragged him. The officer eventually fell to the ground and during the fall, his gun went off.

The officer was later taken to the hospital in good condition, and CPD has not provided updates on their

Following the alleged escape, officers said the vehicle used was later found abandoned in the 4500 block of West Adams Street in Garfield Park.

An arrest in the case came over two weeks after the incident, when Harris was taken into custody on Monday near his home.

The incident also sparked an investigation by Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), though officials from that office have not yet provided an update on their probe.

Harris is set to appear in Court on Tuesday for a detention hearing.