A 38-year-old Chicago police officer with ten years on the force was killed Saturday morning when a man in police custody opened fire inside Swedish Hospital's emergency department on the North Side. A second officer, 57 and a 21-year veteran, was critically wounded in the attack that occurred just before 11 a.m. at the Ravenswood neighborhood hospital, operated by Endeavor Health.
The suspect had been transported to the hospital for observation after his arrest on suspicion of robbery, according to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. Upon arrival at approximately 9 a.m., the individual was screened with a weapon detection device, the hospital said in a statement. He later obtained a gun and fired on the officers before fleeing the building.
One officer was shot in the head, according to police audio recordings. Both officers were rushed to an area hospital, where the younger officer died from his injuries.
After leaving Swedish Hospital, the gunman fled to a nearby home several blocks away. SWAT teams surrounded the residence and took the suspect into custody following a standoff. Andre Vasquez, alderperson for Chicago's 40th ward, confirmed the suspect is in custody. The individual has not been publicly identified pending the ongoing investigation.
Endeavor Health said no hospital staff or patients were injured during the incident. The medical campus was placed on lockdown immediately after the shooting, with the lockdown lifted around 2 p.m. The hospital remained closed Saturday afternoon as law enforcement continued their investigation.
In a statement, Endeavor Health said the organization was cooperating fully with law enforcement. "Our deepest compassion remains with the officers and their families," the hospital wrote.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the shooting a tragedy and asked residents to keep the officers' families in their prayers. "Our officers stand in the way of harm every single day, risking their own lives," Johnson said. "One of our officers will not be able to return to their family."
Gilbert Villegas, alderman for Chicago's 36th ward, thanked the Chicago Police Department for its quick response and swift action on social media.
A 38-year-old Chicago police officer with ten years on the force was killed Saturday morning when a man in police custody opened fire inside Swedish Hospital's emergency department on the North Side. A second officer, 57 and a 21-year veteran, was critically wounded in the attack that occurred just before 11 a.m. at the Ravenswood neighborhood hospital, operated by Endeavor Health.
The suspect had been transported to the hospital for observation after his arrest on suspicion of robbery, according to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. Upon arrival at approximately 9 a.m., the individual was screened with a weapon detection device, the hospital said in a statement. He later obtained a gun and fired on the officers before fleeing the building.
One officer was shot in the head, according to police audio recordings. Both officers were rushed to an area hospital, where the younger officer died from his injuries.
After leaving Swedish Hospital, the gunman fled to a nearby home several blocks away. SWAT teams surrounded the residence and took the suspect into custody following a standoff. A third gun was recovered at the scene, though authorities said it remained unclear where that weapon originated.
Andre Vasquez, alderperson for Chicago's 40th ward, confirmed the suspect is in custody. The individual has not been publicly identified pending the ongoing investigation.
Endeavor Health said no hospital staff or patients were injured during the incident. The medical campus was placed on lockdown immediately after the shooting, with the lockdown lifted around 2 p.m. The hospital remained closed Saturday afternoon as law enforcement continued their investigation.
In a statement, Endeavor Health said the organization was cooperating fully with law enforcement. "Our deepest compassion remains with the officers and their families," the hospital wrote.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the shooting a tragedy and asked residents to keep the officers' families in their prayers. "Our officers stand in the way of harm every single day, risking their own lives," Johnson said. "One of our officers will not be able to return to their family."
Gilbert Villegas, alderman for Chicago's 36th ward, thanked the Chicago Police Department for its quick response and swift action on social media. Vasquez had asked residents in the area to shelter in place during the active situation.
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