The male passenger of a vehicle pulled over in a traffic stop in south suburban Harvey died after a struggle with a state trooper over a gun early Wednesday, according to police.
Illinois State Police said in a statement that the incident took place at around 12:30 a.m. near 147th and Halsted.
Authorities said a trooper made a traffic stop, during which the male passenger of the vehicle "attempted to jump into the driver side of the vehicle."
The trooper saw a firearm in the passenger's waistband, according to ISP, which said that a "struggle ensued to gain control over the firearm."
The gun went off, striking the male passenger, according to police, who said the troopers on the scene did not discharge their weapons.
NBC 5 has not independently confirmed the police narrative of the incident through corroborating witnesses.
The male passenger was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, officials said. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office could not immediately confirm the fatality and further details, including his identity, were not available.
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After the shooting, the car "rolled forward" and struck one of the troopers, who sustained minor injuries, according to police. Both troopers were taken to an area hospital where they were treated and released, officials said.
Witnesses said the vehicle then crashed into a bus stop in the chaos.
"From what I heard, he was pulled over, I didn’t get a chance to see that I just heard the gunshots," said Dwan Muniz at the scene. "I heard one shot and I seen the car crash into the bus stop right there."
"The next two they brought out to the opposite side, shook them down, two shots was only fired," Leonard Allen Bond added. "One from the car, then one from the officers."
The SUV that crashed in the incident was still there for hours overnight, as several members of law enforcement remained on the scene, also using a drone to collect images from above.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
