An off-duty Chicago police officer, who might have been targeted in a carjacking attempt, was involved in a shootout on Tuesday morning in the Beverly neighborhood.
Around 5:30 a.m., the officer was confronted by several gunmen on South Campbell Avenue, which led to the shootout. The gunmen drove away in a dark-colored sedan, and one person was detained nearby.
Fortunately, the officer was unharmed, and no other injuries were reported. The officer has worked for the Chicago Police Department for 25 years, is a father, a husband, and volunteers as a coach in the Beverly community.
Alderman Matt O’Shea suggested it might have been an attempted carjacking and mentioned that the group could be connected to other crimes in the area and even south to Lansing.
O’Shea asked local residents to check their surveillance cameras for any useful information and reminded everyone to stay aware of their surroundings, especially in the early morning. He pointed out that the situation could have involved anyone, not just a police officer.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the incident, and the officer will be on routine administrative duties while the investigation continues.