1 Chicago Police Officer Fatally Shot, 1 Fighting For His Life

CHICAGO — UPDATED 1:01 p.m. — A Chicago police officer was shot and killed Saturday evening while conducting a traffic stop in West Englewood, and a second officer injured in the shooting is fighting for his life, CPD officials said.

“Chicago mourns the loss of one of its bravest and finest,” Chicago Police Deputy Supt. Eric Carter said during a brief news conference outside of University of Chicago Medical Center, where both officers were taken. “We have another officer struggling and fighting for his very life.”

On Sunday, police identified the slain officer as 29-year-old Ella French.

The two officers had stopped a vehicle near 63rd Street and Bell Avenue just after 9 p.m. The occupants of the vehicle — two men and a woman — opened fire on the officers, Carter said. There was an exchange of gunfire with the occupants of the vehicle, and both officer were struck. The officers shot one of the men inside the vehicle, who was taken to a hospital.

The wounded officers were rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center. Police said Officer Ella French succumbed to her injuries. The second officer is in critical condition.

A third person inside the offenders' car, described as a black female in her 20s, is still at large. In the moments after the shooting, which occurred in the 8th Police District. Officers locked down the area as they fanned out from 55th to 70 streets to Western and Damen avenue. Officers from nine Chicago police districts assisted in the search.

Commenters on community activist Martin Johnson’s Facebook Live feed from the scene were telling women in the neighborhood to “stay in the crib” as police searched for the female occupant of the car, fearing a false arrest.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said her heart was aching for the loss of life.

“She was very young on the job,” the mayor said of the officer who died. “I had time to spend with her family. Obviously they’re grieving and distraught.”

Carter said the investigation is still in the preliminary stages. More information is forthcoming.

CPD Supt. David Brown is out of town finalizing funeral arrangements for his mother.

This story is developing. Check back later for updates.