A man shot a Chicago police officer who stopped him for driving what officials described as a “homemade” vehicle in South Shore on Friday evening, prompting the officer to return fire and critically injure the suspect. The injured officer’s partner was also shot during the struggle, but CPD stopped short of saying who fired the round that struck him.
Just before 5 p.m., officers stopped a 34-year-old man in the 2000 block of East 79th Street for driving a go-kart-style vehicle that appeared to be homemade, officials said during a press conference after the shooting. The man fled, but officers quickly caught up with him in the 7900 block of South Chappel Avenue, where a struggle broke out, according to CPD.
During the fight, the man reached into a shoulder bag, pulled out a gun, and fired, striking a 30-year-old officer in his protective vest, police said.
“Thank God for his vest that saved his life under these circumstances,” said CPD Supt. Larry Snelling, who announced his retirement this week.
The wounded officer returned fire, critically injuring the suspect. Around the same time, the second officer, a 27-year-old man, was shot in the arm, but CPD did not specifically say who fired the bullet that struck him.
Both officers were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and were expected to make full recoveries, officials said Friday night. They have each served on the force for four years. The suspect was listed in critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Per CPD policy, the officers involved will be assigned to routine administrative duties for a minimum of 30 days.
The 34-year-old man shot by police does not have any pending criminal cases in Cook County, according to a review of court records. However, he has at least one previous gun conviction. Records also show he was arrested last year on a burglary-related charge, but prosecutors later dropped that case.
CPD issued the following statement:
Preliminary Statement on Police-Involved Shooting in the 7900 block of S. Chappel Ave.
CHICAGO – On July 3, 2026, at approximately 4:58 p.m., uniformed Chicago Police Department officers assigned to the 4th District (South Chicago) were conducting a traffic stop in the 2000 block of E. 79th St. when the offender fled from officers. Officers engaged in a foot pursuit and as they attempted to take the offender into custody in the 7900 block of S. Chappel, a struggle ensued.
During the struggle, the offender retrieved a firearm and fired, striking an officer in the abdomen. The officer’s vest stopped the bullet. The officer returned fire, striking the offender. During this struggle, a second officer was shot in the arm. Both officers were taken to an area hospital and are listed in good condition. The offender was taken to Northwestern Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and is listed in critical condition. Responding officers rendered aid to the injured officers and the offender. A firearm was recovered on scene.
The Investigative Response Team is investigating the circumstances involving the incident. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was notified. The investigation is ongoing.
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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