Police Question “Person” in Officer Shooting

Chicago police confirm they are questioning a "person of interest," in connection with the overnight shooting of two police officers on the city's west side.

The two officers were conducting a drug investigation near Karlov and Wilcox shortly before 11 p.m. Monday. They had stepped out of their car in the alley and were approaching two suspects, when gunfire erupted and both officers were wounded.

One suffered a gunshot wound to the head, the bullet lodging behind his ear. The second had a graze wound to his head and a second wound to his arm.

Both are expected to recover.

"God was with us tonight," police superintendent Garry McCarthy said during a brief appearance outside Stroger Hospital. "One of the officers did return fire. We’re not sure if he struck anybody at this point."

Drug dealing in the area has been pervasive for years. Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) said he had complaints about the very corner where the officers were shot just a few days ago.

"Yes, I actually had received calls from residents in the 40 hundred block of Wilcox regarding the drug activity over there, and relayed that information to (11th district) commander Washington," he said.

Investigators flooded the neighborhood Tuesday. Marked and unmarked police units were observed cruising area streets, as tactical officers went door to door. One man was seen being led to a squad car in handcuffs on west Monroe. Officers said they were seeking a second man in that same neighborhood for questioning.

A few blocks away, investigators opened a yellow Cadillac Eldorado parked on the street, and searched the interior and trunk.

Both of the wounded officers were 29 years old.

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