CHICAGO — City officials on Wednesday released surveillance video and other materials related to a shootout that ensued after a gunman robbed an off-duty Chicago police officer in Washington Park on November 24. No injuries were reported during the incident, and no arrests have been announced.
One of the videos released by COPA, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, clearly shows what happened as the 34-year-old officer entered a residence in the 100 block of East 57th Street around 1:51 a.m. on November 24.
As the officer prepares to put her key in the door, she looks to her right and seems to immediately realize trouble is brewing. As she hurriedly enters the building, a gunman runs up to the steps with a pistol extended in her direction.
The robber approaches the officer and appears to take something from her, but she is off-camera, and precisely what transpired cannot be determined from the footage.
Within a couple of seconds, the robber flees. The officer steps back out of the building, and eight or nine muzzle flashes can be seen coming from her gun, which is aimed in the robber’s direction of flight.
Here is an excerpt of the most informative video released by COPA. The complete video and all of the materials released by investigators can be seen here.
The officer called 911 to report the incident, saying someone “ran up on me as I was comin’ in the house.” She told the 911 operator that she only saw one robber, but a CPD report released by COPA indicates three offenders were involved.
A police media statement issued shortly after the incident said, “at least one additional offender fired shots in the direction of the off-duty” officer” during the shootout.
COPA released a second video on Wednesday showing three or four people walking in the street near the officer’s home. The footage was recorded from a distance, so it’s difficult to determine how they were involved in the incident.
An online database of CPD personnel shows the officer is 34 years old and joined the force in April 2022.
COPA continues to investigate the officer’s use of force while CPD oversees the robbery investigation.
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