3 officers injured after crashes, shooting amid burglary investigation on South Side

CHICAGO — Authorities say two people are in custody and several CPD officers are recovering after a string of crashes and a shooting involving officers on the city’s South Side, which later sparked a probe by Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA).

According to Chicago police, it all unfolded while officers were conducting a burglary investigation in the 5800 block of South Princeton Avenue in Englewood, just after 5 a.m.

While in the area, officers learned that multiple offenders were allegedly removing proceeds from railcars nearby.

Officers began making their way toward the area, but as they approached, one of the suspects, who was in an SUV, allegedly sped toward one of the officers, striking them.

Following the crash, the officer who was struck opened fire on the vehicle, but police said the driver allegedly continued toward officers and crashed into a marked squad car.

After crashing, officers took the suspect into custody and two guns were allegedly recovered from the SUV.

Nobody was struck by gunfire during the shooting.

The officer who was struck was later hospitalized in good condition. Two other officers at the scene were also taken to the hospital for observation. 

Amid the altercation with the first group of officers, a second vehicle, a van, was also spotted allegedly fleeing the scene after officers arrived.

Another group of officers caught up with the vehicle in the 7100 block of South Yale and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly tried to flee and struck two squad cars during the attempt.

Following the crashes, a 30-year-old man who was allegedly inside the van tried to get out, but was run over by the van as the driver fled the scene.

The injured suspect was then taken into custody and transported to the hospital in critical condition.

SkyCam 9 was over the scene around 6:15 a.m. when the damaged squad car could be seen resting near debris that was scattered along the side of the road.

Authorities later located the van abandoned in the 7500 block of South State Street.

Two officers involved in the second incident were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and were listed in good condition. 

Authorities have not announced charges against anyone arrested.

The officer involved in the shooting will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days, according to COPA.

CPD’s Investigative Response Team and COPA are investigating the incident.

Those with information on the shooting can contact COPA on their website or by calling 312-746-3609.