CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago police officer shot and critically injured a 13-year-old carjacking suspect Wednesday night on the city’s West Side, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability said.
The alderwoman for the area is already speaking out, saying the shooting was unnecessary.
“Why would you want to shoot when you could easily chase him,” said 13 Ward Ald. Emma Mitts.
Chicago police were trying to stop a stolen vehicle wanted in connection with a carjacking from a neighboring suburb just before 10:15 p.m. in the 800-block of North Cicero Avenue, near Chicago Avenue, but as officers approached the vehicle, the boy fled on foot, CPD said.
It was at the gas station on Chicago Avenue and Cicero, where authorities said one officer pulled his weapon.
An officer then shot the 13-year-old, according to Chicago police.
“The 13-year-old did not have a weapon that was recovered from the scene. So now that brings up concern to why and what happened,” Mitts said. “Certainly we don’t want an officer out here shooting our children for no reason, that’s insane.”
“Jumping to conclusions isn’t fair to anyone involved,” Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said in a press conference Thursday.
Officers rendered aid to the individual, who was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.
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At least one other suspect drove away in the wanted vehicle, which was later found empty in the 3800-block of West Monroe Street in East Garfield Park.
COPA said the shooting involved officers with CPD’s Vehicle Hijacking Task Force Team.
“Officers engaged in a foot pursuit of one of the occupants of the vehicle,” COPA First Deputy, Chief Administrator, Ephraim Eaddy said.. “One officer discharged their firearm, striking the occupant, who is 13 years of age. The officer’s body camera was activated, and COPA is in possession of 3rd party and POD video that captures the incident. No weapon was recovered on scene.”
No officers were wounded by gunfire, but two were taken to a nearby hospital for observation. They were listed in good condition.
COPA said it is prohibited from release of video and other materials in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act.
“COPA is committed to a full and thorough investigation into the officer’s use of force to determine if their actions were in accordance with Department policy and training,” the agency said in a release.
“COPA will have our full cooperation,” Brown added.
A CPD squad car was damaged.
The wanted car had been used in a carjacking the day before in Oak Park, according to the authorities in the western suburb. On Tuesday, a man in a black face mask stole a car left running with a 3-year-old inside near Lake Street and Oak Park Avenue around 7:30 p.m., police said.
The child was found unharmed about 15 minutes later inside the car, which had been abandoned in the 200-block of Madison Street, police said.
Police are still looking for a second suspect.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the incident, and any officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement that said:
“I am aware of the officer involved shooting that resulted in a thirteen-year-old being shot by a Chicago police officer yesterday evening. I have been in contact with Superintendent Brown and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, led by Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten, is actively investigating this matter. I have full confidence that COPA will investigate this incident expeditiously with the full cooperation of the Chicago Police Department.”
Sun-Times Media contributed to this report.
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