An early morning burglary at a Northwest Side mall in Chicago escalated when a police officer fired shots at a vehicle that hit him as it fled the scene. The incident began around 4:25 a.m. when 17th District officers noticed several armed individuals burglarizing a GameStop, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The suspects, described by the Chicago Sun-Times as multiple armed individuals, entered a white Chrysler sedan and a red Jeep SUV at the Addison Mall, 2929 W. Addison St. In their attempt to escape, they ran into a responding officer. The officer afterward discharged his weapon, but no one was reported as hit by gunfire.
The officer, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was transported to a hospital, as stated by CPD. The pursuit of the suspects ensued but was interrupted when the chasing police vehicles were involved in a collision at Chicago Avenue and Wood Streets with a different car not related to the crime, according to radio scanner traffic mentioned by the Sun-Times.
CBS News Chicago added that the GameStop store showed signs of a forceful break-in, with a car appearing to have crashed into it, scattering inventory outside. The store owner informed CBS News Chicago that this was not the first time the store had been targeted.
As of now, the burglars remain at large. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the circumstances of the burglary and the subsequent shooting. The Chicago Police Department has also urged anyone with information to come forward and has stated that the officer involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for at least 30 days.
