Holly MatkinChicago, IL – An off-duty Chicago police officer was shot in the face by a road-raging gunman on Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
The incident occurred near North Elston Avenue and West Addison Street in Irving Park at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 20, WMAQ reported.
Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent David Brown said that an off-duty female CPD officer was driving down the street behind a black SUV when the SUV stopped abruptly in front of her.
“Preliminarily, subject to change, our officer was apparently rear-ended and pushed after the rear-ending, but we don’t know any more other than that,” Superintendent Brown said, according to WLS.
That’s when someone inside a vehicle opened fire on her, WMAQ reported.
#NEW: being told this is a female off-duty #CPD officer.
We believe she was shot in the head around 3:15pm, at the Jiffy Lube at Addison/Elston.
There are 3 ambo’s on scene. Two on the street, one in the bay. Not sure which one she was in.
Tune in to @WGNNews at 4pm. pic.twitter.com/F2TyXMTaAr
— Brónagh Tumulty (@BronaghTumulty) September 20, 2022
Investigators said they do not believe the officer returned fire, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The officer was hit in the face by gunfire but was able to maintain consciousness, Superintendent Brown said.
She was rushed to Illinois Masonic Hospital with serious injuries and is expected to survive, WMAQ reported.
“Thank goodness that she is going to be able to recover,” Superintendent Brown said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Chicago Fire Department transported an off duty officer to Illinois Masonic Hospital with non life threatening injuries after being shot at Addison & Elston. The CFD will keep this officer in our prayers. pic.twitter.com/0TKcXPeGNX
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) September 20, 2022
Her identity was not immediately released.
The wounded hero is a 27-year-old probationary officer, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The suspect fled the scene after the shooting, triggering a massive search in Hollywood Park.
Officers and K9 units were seen combing spaces between homes on Tuesday afternoon, WMAQ reported.
Police closed down roadways in the area of the shooting and also shut down the entrance and exit ramps near Kennedy Expressway and Lawrence Avenue for a period of time.
Breaking news: unconfirmed Female Chicago Police Officer shot in her car, a black land-rover at 3606 N Elston just north of Addison. @CWBChicago @chicagosmayor @Chicago_Scanner @MarkAVargas pic.twitter.com/GnMrovYRs9
— Mark Weyermuller (@publicpolicyman) September 20, 2022
Investigators attempted to stop the suspect’s back SUV near Laverne and Lawrence Avenue, but the gunman managed to escape after crashing into two CPD vehicles, WGN reported.
One officer opened fire on the suspect, but it is unclear whether or not the gunman was hit.
The CPD later said they located the suspect’s vehicle abandoned in the 5800-block of Drake Avenue, but no one had been arrested as of Wednesday afternoon, WLS reported.
The CPD urged anyone with any information about the incident to contact investigators immediately.
