A 23-year-old man was seriously injured Saturday morning following a shootout with Chicago police in the West Rogers Park neighborhood on the city’s Far North Side, authorities said.
Police responded to reports of a shooting in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue around 9:35 a.m., Chicago Deputy Police Chief Kevin Bruno said. said at a press conference Saturday afternoon.
A gunman – the same man police believe later shot at officers – approached a 39-year-old man from behind as he walked down the street and shot him in the shoulder , said Bruno. Shortly before 10 a.m., the shooter reappeared from an alley and fired at police officers and paramedics, eventually hitting an ambulance. Over the next two and a half minutes, Bruno said the man came out of various locations and exchanged gunfire with the officers.
During the last encountered in the 6800 block of North Washtenaw Avenue, according to Bruno, officers shot the man several times. He was transported to Ascension Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition. No police officers or emergency responders were injured in the shooting.
The 39-year-old victim was treated and released at the hospital, Bruno said, adding that neighbors also tried to help the victim after he was shot.
“It’s just great to see the community stepping up and the officers helping,” he said.
Bruno said the motive for the initial shooting was still under investigation. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability also announced the opening of an investigation.
rjohnson@chicagotribune.com
