Holly MatkinChicago, IL – Chicago police said they have apprehended the alleged gunman accused of shooting an officer in the arm and abdomen during a traffic stop last Sunday afternoon.
Jerome Halsey, 27, has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery, WGN reported.
Halsey’s bail was set at $1 million on Tuesday.
The attack occurred at approximately 2 p.m. on June 5, when three uniformed CPD officers in an unmarked patrol vehicle attempted to stop a driver in the 6900-block of South Sangamon Street, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent Brown said the suspect vehicle pulled into an alleyway just before the driver got out of the car and opened fire on the officers.
They immediately returned fire, hitting the gunman, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
One of the CPD officers was shot in the arm and torso during the attack, according to police.
The officer was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center and was listed in serious, but stable condition, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
The gunman was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.
Superintendent Brown said investigators are reviewing bodycam and dashcam footage of the officer-involved shooting.
The attack marked the third shooting of a Chicago-area law enforcement officer in less than one week.
CPD Officer Fernanda Ballesteros was shot in the shoulder on June 1 when a suspect pulled up alongside her patrol vehicle and opened fire, WLS reported at the time.
Bullet fragments also hit her in her head, according to WMAQ.
Officer Ballesteros’ partner got behind the wheel of their vehicle and rushed the wounded 27-year-old officer to University of Chicago Hospital.
She was released on Monday to the cheers of dozens of fellow law enforcement officers and supporters, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The third attack occurred on June 2, when 19-year-old Tarrion Johnson allegedly shot a U.S. Marshal and his K9 as they were attempting to arrest Johnson on a warrant for a prior attempted murder charge, according to FOX News.
The shooting occurred at approximately 1:20 p.m. in the 5200-block of West Belmont.
Additional members of the U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Apprehension Team arrested Johnson, who was booked into jail on charges of injury to a police animal, aggravated cruelty to animals, attempted robbery with a firearm, and attempted murder, FOX News reported.
The wounded K9 was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital’s intensive care unit in unknown condition.
The U.S. marshal suffered a gunshot wound to the hand, but refused treatment, according to FOX News.
Superintendent Brown said offenders have been increasingly “brazen in harming officers,” WLS reported.
“We’ve been repeatedly saying for the last 2.5 years now, offenders have shot at and shot officers at a 500% increase,” the police superintendent told reporters. “The highest number of officers shot at or shot on record in Chicago. His team members are all shook, as well. It’s…the third time this week in Chicago an officer has been shot.”
At least 22 CPD officers have been shot at so far in 2022, WLS reported.
Five officers have been wounded by gunfire.
“We ask for the city to pray and support their officers,” Superintendent Brown said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “Now is a good time to say thank you when you see an officer because we need encouragement right now doing this very, very difficult and dangerous job.”
