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Chicago Cop Shot in Attempted Carjacking

Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 | Updated 1:43 PM CDT

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An off-duty officer is shot in the arm, but drives himself to a hospital after an attempted carjacking.

An off-duty Chicago Police officer drove himself to an area hospital after being shot during an attempted carjacking early Sunday in the South Side Gresham neighborhood, authorities said.

The incident happened in the 8700 block of South Halsted Street about 2:50 a.m., according to police News Affairs Officer John Henry.

A 36-year-old off-duty Chicago Police officer suffered an apparent gunshot wound to his arm during a possible attempted carjacking, according to Henry, who was citing preliminary information.

The incident resulted in an exchange of gunfire between the officer and an offender, Henry said.

Police said the officer was taken to an area hospital in good condition.

Chicago Fire Department spokesman Quention Curtis said the department had no contact with the officer but said the officer drove himself to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn to be treated for his injuries.

Police said the offender was not in custody as of 3:30 a.m.

Calumet Area detectives remained at the scene early Sunday.