Holly MatkinChicago, IL – A Chicago police officer was fatally shot while trying to apprehend a gunman who was chasing a woman down the street in Gage Park late Wednesday afternoon.
The incident occurred in the 5200-block of South Spaulding Avenue at approximately 4:45 p.m., WLS reported.
Chicago police said they responded to the area after receiving a report about a man with a gun who was chasing a woman down the street.
While other officers were knocking on doors, one officer spotted the alleged gunman running away, WLS reported.
The officer chased after him on foot, at which point the 18-year-old gunman turned and shot him “without warning or notice,” Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent David Brown told reporters.
Despite his wounds, the officer was able to return fire and shot the suspect in the head, WLS reported.
The shooting, which happened at close range, was captured by the officer’s bodycam, according to Superintendent Brown.
The gunman was rushed to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
His identity was not immediately released.
The officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his leg and face during the attack, CBS News reported.
He was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The slain hero was later identified as 32-year-old CPD Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, CBS News reported.
Superintendent Brown reiterated that the officers who responded to the call on Wednesday night “were willing to put their lives on the line to protect this victim,” CBS News reported.
Officer Vasquez-Lasso served the CPD for five years and was assigned to the department’s Eighth District.
“I ask that this city cover this officer’s family,” Superintendent Brown said, according to WLS. “This is a family of public servants and as you can imagine, they are taking this tragedy, very, very hard.”
Officer Vasquez-Lasso is survived by his wife, according to CBS News.
Superintendent Brown described him as a young officer who “had a bright future ahead of him,” WMAQ reported.
A massive procession of first responders escorted the fallen hero’s body from Mount Sinai Hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office on Wednesday night.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers lined the route.
“I want to remind people that every single day, on every shift, officers run to danger for our safety,” Chicago Mayor Lightfoot said during the news conference on Wednesday night, according to CBS News. “If you see an officer tonight, or the next day, or the day after that, thank them for their service.”
#BREAKING: Chicago Police Officer shot and critically wounded during a foot chase near 53rd/Spaulding in Gage Park.
Police radio traffic in the moments leading up to the shooting:#ChicagoScanner pic.twitter.com/ROwhrV0KCJ
— Eric Tendian (@EricTendian) March 1, 2023
The scene outside Mt. Sinai Hospital tonight, where Chicago Police are lined up for blocks after an officer was shot on the southwest side. pic.twitter.com/DahxEC8lfB
— Megan Hawkins (@meganhawkinsabc) March 2, 2023
Earlier today, we lost one of our own. An on-duty police officer was fatally shot while responding to a person with a gun call. Please pray for this officer’s family, loved ones, partner and all of our Chicago Police officers who are grieving this tremendous loss. pic.twitter.com/dlEucYrmY9
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) March 2, 2023
#BREAKING: Chicago Police officer was just pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital after getting shot multiple times today during shootout with domestic violence suspect.
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown says suspect was shot multiple times and is in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/DcpErGmjf4
— Preston Phillips 🇺🇸 (@PrestonTVNews) March 2, 2023
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Sandy Malone
