An early-morning police chase through Brighton Park ended in a crash, scattered gunfire, and three people in custody on Chicago’s Southwest Side, according to police. The pursuit wrapped up near West 47th Street after the fleeing vehicle slammed out, its occupants took off on foot, and shots were fired. No one was struck, and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability has already opened a review while officers and the detained individuals were checked out at local hospitals.
What police say
Chicago police say tactical officers tried to pull over a vehicle in the 4400 block of South Mozart just before 1:15 a.m. Saturday, when someone inside allegedly opened fire on a CPD vehicle multiple times before the driver took off. Officers chased the car to the 2900 block of West 47th Street, where it crashed, and the people inside bailed out on foot. Police say one suspect fired at officers during the foot chase, and an officer returned fire. No one was hit, and three people, two males and one female, were ultimately taken into custody, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Investigation underway
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is now digging into the officer-involved shooting and is asking anyone with information to come forward. COPA’s jurisdiction covers incidents involving firearm discharges and officer-involved shootings, and the agency maintains an online case portal and complaint lines for tips and complaints, as outlined by COPA.
Brighton Park context
For Brighton Park residents, this latest burst of overnight chaos lands on an already frayed set of nerves. Earlier this month, a predawn fatal shooting left one man dead, adding to neighborhood worries about late-night violence and strained policing on the Southwest Side. That earlier predawn street killing has fed growing concern over the recent uptick in serious incidents.
What happens next
At the crash site, officers recovered two guns, police said. The three suspects were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries blamed on the collision, and one officer was transported for observation. As is standard practice, the department said the officer or officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duty for at least 30 days while COPA completes its review. No charges had been announced as of late Saturday, according to ABC7 Chicago.
