A man armed with a knife was shot and injured by police on Friday afternoon on Chicago’s Far South Side.
Around 1:30 p.m., a Chicago police officer and a Forest Preserves of Cook County officer responded to a report of a person being chased by someone with a knife near the 11400 block of South Avenue G. When officers arrived, they were approached by a man holding a knife, according to Chicago police.
As officers tried to create distance and calm the situation, the man suddenly charged at one of them. In response, the officer fired his gun, hitting the man in the body.
Police provided medical aid by applying a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. The man, whose age is unknown, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.
Officers recovered a knife from the scene. The officer involved in the shooting was taken to a hospital for evaluation but did not suffer any serious injuries.
The incident happened at Eggers Grove Forest Preserve, located in the East Side neighborhood. Police radio communications recorded the officers’ urgent reactions. One officer was heard saying, “On the trail, he’s got a knife, he’s walking toward me!” Moments later, shots were fired, and the officer reported, “He’s coming at me again.” Soon after, another officer confirmed, “Yeah, he’s on the ground.”
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) arrived at the scene later that day to investigate the shooting. Officials are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
This case remains under investigation.
