Officer wounded in Englewood released from hospital one week after shooting
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Police Officer Erik Moreno has been released from the hospital after he was shot during an attempted traffic stop in Englewood last weekend.
Colleagues were in attendance to greet Moreno as he left the University of Chicago Hospital around 1 p.m. Sunday. Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. was also in attendance. He stood and saluted with fellow officers as Moreno exited the hospital.
His release was delayed on Tuesday after more tests were performed because he felt light-headed.
"Erik finally gets to go home and be with his wife and kids and home for Father's Day. It's a rewarding day. A couple of days later than expected, but hes' much stronger and on the road to recovery," said Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.
Moreno and with two other officers in an unmarked squad car attempted a traffic stop on June 5 in the 6900 block of South Sangamon Street around 2 p.m. when he was shot.
Prosecutors said the officers saw Jerome Halsey, 27, driving erratically, and his brake lights were out.
Halsey turned into an alley and kept speeding until stopping his car at a dead-end, prosecutors said.
Officer Moreno got out of the squad car and was a foot away from the driver's side door when prosecutors say Halsey "opened the door and fired a gun."
Moreno was shot in the arm and torso. He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious but stable condition, according to Chicago Police Department Supt. David Brown.
Officers returned fire -- striking Halsey, according to police.
Halsey remains hospitalized at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with gunshot wounds to the chest and leg. He's charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated assault on accusations that he shot Officer Moreno. His bond was set at $1 million
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability responded to the incident and is conducting a comprehensive use of force investigation. All three officers that were in the car will be placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days.
Last week, Fernanda Ballesteros, 27, was released from the hospital after being shot in the head in West Englewood while also attempting a traffic stop.
Just days before, on June 2, A U.S. Marshal and a K-9 were shot and wounded in the Cragin neighborhood. The Marshal's injuries were minor and the dog was released from the animal hospital last weekend.
So far this year, five Chicago police officers have been shot, and 20 others have been shot at.
