A police foot chase on Chicago's South Side ended in gunfire when an officer's shot grazed a man who was running from police, according to officials. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability has opened an investigation into the shooting, and authorities say the man was armed, though details about his injuries and the exact location of the incident remain scarce.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, the man took off from officers before he was hit by a grazing shot. The outlet's short video update reported that COPA is now reviewing the case but did not provide additional information about the scene or the man's condition.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), the civilian agency that reviews officer-involved shootings in Chicago, typically collects body-worn camera footage and other evidence as part of its investigations. In its public updates, COPA also encourages anyone with video or firsthand information to reach out through its case portal or tip lines.
Why foot chases are under scrutiny
Chicago has tightened its rules around police foot pursuits in recent years in an effort to reduce unnecessary chases and improve safety for officers, suspects, and bystanders. Department policy says officers should pursue only when there is probable cause to arrest or when a suspect clearly poses a threat, and supervisors can call off a chase if conditions become too risky, according to ABC7 Chicago.
What remains unclear
City officials have not released the man's name, the precise location of the chase, whether he will face criminal charges, or whether the officers involved have been reassigned. FOX 32 Chicago's brief segment on the incident did not include any follow-up details.
Anyone who saw the chase or captured it on video is being asked to contact COPA. The agency's latest release includes its phone number and online case portal for submitting tips and footage, according to COPA.
