A chaotic smash-and-grab burglary outside an Avondale gaming store ended with a police officer injured, at least one officer firing shots, and a citywide pursuit that police supervisors ultimately called off.
Officers on patrol spotted two carloads of armed offenders burglarizing the GameStop at 2929 West Addison Street around 4:26 a.m.. According to preliminary reports, four masked men were actively looting the store as officers passed by. The cops said all of the burglars were armed.
As the crew scrambled to escape in their getaway vehicles, one of them struck a police officer who was on foot. An officer also fired at least one shot during the encounter, but there were no immediate reports of gunshot injuries.
The crew fled in a red Jeep and a white Chrysler 300 with officers in pursuit of the SUV, which was seen speeding through neighborhoods with its trunk flapping open.
The chase cut a path through at least four CPD districts, including a stretch into Roscoe Village before doubling back toward the Kennedy Expressway and heading into the West Loop. At one point, another driver reportedly struck a CPD patrol car as the pursuit sped through the intersection of Hubbard Street and Ashland Avenue.
The pursuit was terminated at about 4:36 a.m. by a supervising officer, in line with department policies that weigh the risks of high-speed chases in densely populated areas.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) said its investigators were heading to an officer-involved shooting” in the 2900 block of West Addison Street this morning. The agency, which is charged with investigating uses of force by CPD officers, asked anyone with information about the incident to call 312-746-3609.
CPD released the following statement:
CHICAGO – On Thursday, August 7, 2025, at approximately 4:26 a.m., uniformed 17th (Albany Park) District Chicago Police officers on-viewed multiple armed offenders burglarizing a business in the 2900 block of W. Addison St. (17th District). The offenders then entered a white Chrysler sedan and a red Jeep SUV, striking an officer with one of the vehicles as they fled. As the officer was struck by the vehicle, the officer discharged his firearm. There are no reports of anyone being struck by gunfire. The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Responding officers pursued the offenders who fled the scene. During the pursuit, officers were struck by an unrelated vehicle, ending the pursuit. No injuries were reported. The offenders continued to flee and no one is in custody at this time. The Investigative Response Team is on-scene.
Currently, the specifics of this incident, including the comprehensive use of force investigation, are being investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability with the full cooperation of the Chicago Police Department.
The officer(s) involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days. This matter remains under investigation and all further inquiries can be directed to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability at (312) 746-3609.
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