Four Out Of Eight Hostages In Harvey Released; Two Cops Wounded
LATEST: Hostages Rescued, Suspects In Custody
HARVEY, Ill. (CBS) -- Four children have been released from a standoff in Harvey. Two children and two adults remain in custody, WBBM's Bob Roberts reports.
Before the standoff, two Harvey Police officers were shot. CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports at least one of the suspects shot both officers near 147th and Seeley.
The two offenders took six children hostages and two adults hostage. Four of those kids have since been released. Police initially reported there were six hostages in the home.
Officer Darnell Keel was being treated at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for gunshot wounds to the arm, which was broken. He was released late Tuesday evening.
The other officer suffered a graze wound to the arm.
The first child was released just after 6 p.m. About an hour later, a second child was allowed out. Less than an hour later, negotiators talk a third hostage to safety, that one just one year old. WBBM's Bob Roberts reports they were all taken to the hospital for observation. A fourth child was released late Tuesday.
Harvey spokesman Sean Howard said the first officer who was shot was responding to a 911 call of a burglary in process.
"An exchange of gunfire was taken at that point," he said.
Corey Campbell heard the gun fight.
"Six shots, tires screeching... I just heard some yelling and next thing I know we come out and see police everywhere," he said.
The Cook County Sheriff's office's Hostage Barricade Team was assisting, along with 25 other police agencies.
Negotiators from the county and state are communicating with at least one of the offenders. Harvey Police say they believe the negotiation will last a while and they are not familiar with the offenders.
"I'm proud of the way our team of professionals are handling the negotiation process and again, we pray for a very peaceful resolve," said Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg.
Police have cordoned off 147th Street west of Robey, and were advising motorists to avoid using 147th Street and the block surrounding the barricade has been evacuated.
Rosa Parks Middle School in nearby Dixmoor was briefly on lockdown. No kids are at the school, but 30 to 40 staff members were working at the school.
Officer Keel is an 18-year veteran of the Harvey Police Department.
"He is himself but he is in a lot of pain," said John Morris, a friend of officer Keel.
Morris says Keel was promoted to detective a few months ago.
Keel's brother Cardell Dotson said, "You are never ready for this situation, especially if it is your family."