A day after a police chase ended in gunfire in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood, we’re learning more about the events that left two people, a Chicago police officer and a 15-year-old boy, in local hospitals.
According to Chicago police officials, two people were shot during the altercation, including the boy and a CPD officer. Both were rushed to area hospitals, and both are recovering Wednesday from their wounds.
In a new revelation Wednesday, CPD officials said that the bullet that hit the unidentified boy was likely fired by a Des Plaines police officer who chased a bank robbery suspect from the suburb and ultimately exchanged gunfire with him near the Upbeat Music store.
The boy was struck in the chest, and was rushed to Lurie Children’s Hospital.
The boy is a student at Lane Tech High School, where his classmates wished him the best after the incident.
“I hope that he has a swift recovery,” student Max Battleman said.
When asked whether the Des Plaines officer acted properly in chasing and ultimately exchanging gunfire with the suspect in the case, Chicago Police First Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio defended the officer’s action.
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“They’re in hot pursuit of this individual. They had every right to be there,” he said.
Riccio also expressed gratitude that the incident didn’t turn into an even bigger tragedy, as both the officer and the teen shot in the exchange of gunfire are recovering.
“The shooting of that 15-year-old boy was a horrible tragedy. Thank God it didn’t turn out worse than it did,” he said.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Christopher Willis of Chicago, was shot during the confrontation, and later died from his injuries.
