Chicago Police officer killed in shootout on city's South Side
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago Police officer was killed in a shootout in the East Chatham neighborhood Monday night.
Just after 8 p.m., officers from the Gresham (6th) District stopped a vehicle with three occupants in the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue. As officers approached, one of the occupants opened fire on an officer with what sounded like rapid gunfire, according to police Supt. Larry Snelling.
The officer, identified as 26-year-old Enrique Martinez, was struck multiple times.
Martinez was driven to the University of Chicago Medical Center by fellow officers, and he died at the hospital, Snelling said.
An occupant of the vehicle was also struck by the gunfire and killed, Snelling said. Snelling said this occupant was believed to have been killed "by the gunfire that was released in the vehicle."
That person who was killed had a handgun, Snelling said. A semiautomatic weapon was also recovered at the scene.
The suspect who shot the officer tried to flee in the vehicle, but could not escape and fled on foot, Snelling said. Police said the shooter ran into another officer with the car before bailing and running.
Another person in the rear seat of the vehicle was taken into custody by the officers, though this person was released Tuesday night.
After a foot pursuit and a search for the shooter, he too was taken into custody in the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue, Snelling said.
One officer also fired his weapon at the scene, Snelling said.
"What I do want to say is that our officers go out and they face this type of danger every single say, and this work is unpredictable, and we never know what's in store for our officers when they're out there trying to keep the public safe," Snelling said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke at a news conference at the medical center alongside Snelling.
"This young officer courageously protected this city. As the family continues to grieve—the shock, the anger that they are feeling—I'm calling on all residents of this city to pray for this family," Johnson said.
Someone in the neighborhood captured video of the shooting.
The video shows a police car on the left of the screen having pulled up alongside the suspects' car on the right. In the video, an officer is heard saying: "Stop reaching! Stop reaching! Stop reaching!" before shots seemingly from an automatic weapon are fired.
Snelling also confirmed police had information that one of the suspects had cut off their ankle monitor, but this issue remained under investigation.
Officer who was shot, killed was engaged to be married
A vigil paying tribute to the fallen officer was held Tuesday afternoon at the Gresham District police station, 7808 S. Halsted St.
Members of the community—along with colleagues and friends—gathered inside the police station Officer Martinez. Bunting now hangs outside the building, marking the tragic loss.
Officer Martinez was just shy of three years on the job.
The rookie officer is the second police officer in the city killed while on duty this year. Officer Luis Huesca was targeted and shot dead as he was returning home from his shift while still in uniform on Sunday, April 21, in the Gage Park neighborhood.
"He was engaged to be married," said Chicago Fraternal of Police president John Catanzara Jr. "It's tragic. He will never be able to see his wedding day."
According to the FOP—the union that represents Chicago Police officers—Officer Martinez was set to be married in a couple of months. Now his family—including his brother, who is also an officer on the CPD force—is coping with this unspeakable tragedy.
"He has certainly seen his fair share of tragedy and trauma, so it may have prepared him more than the rest of his family," said Catanzara. "He is stoic, but amazingly strong, and he needs to be there for his mom and the rest of the family."
Officer Martinez's family is asking for privacy at this time. They have yet to release an official statement or photo of the officer.
The investigation into the shooting that killed Officer Martinez was still very much ongoing Tuesday afternoon.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating. The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days.
