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Man Dies After Being Shot by Bridgeview Officer Following Crash, Official Says

Bridgeview spokesman Ray Hanania said an officer was rear-ended by a driver who then got out of his vehicle with a firearm in his hand

A man has died after being shot by a Bridgeview police officer when he allegedly pointed a gun during a "minor traffic accident" Tuesday evening, officials said. 

Bridgeview spokesman Ray Hanania said the driver of a van, who was shot when he allegedly got out of his vehicle armed after rear-ending an officer, was pronounced dead at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday. His identity was not immediately released, officials said. 

The incident took place around 7:04 p.m. at 10300 S. Harlem Ave., in the parking lot of a strip mall, according to authorities. 

Hanania said an officer was rear-ended by the driver who then got out of his vehicle with a firearm in his hand. Hanania said the man pointed the gun at the officer before the officer pulled out his weapon and opened fire. 

"I see someone laying on the floor unconscious and for a second it struck me. I’m like, 'No way. This happened right here, right next to me,'" said Nadahl Fakhouri, who works across the street from where the shooting happened. "So, he was just laying there and cops are rushing in from every angle." 

Video taken by an NBC 5 viewer captured the aftermath on camera. 

The man was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. The officer was not harmed but was taken to a hospital for observation, officials said. 

The 2019 Ford van driven by the alleged gunman was reported stolen out of Chicago from a U-Haul in the 2700 block of North Central, Hanania said. The plates on the van were also reported stolen out of New Lenox. 

The incident is under investigation by Illinois State Police. 

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