Chicago Police Officer Dead, Another Injured In Hospital Shooting

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago police officer was killed and one was critically injured in a shooting at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital on Saturday, according to officials. A suspect is in custody.

At a news conference on Saturday, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed the officer was shot and killed while transporting the suspect inside the hospital.

The suspect had somehow managed to get ahold of a gun prior to the shooting, according to multiple reports.

The second officer is in critical condition and currently "fighting for his life," Snelling said. That officer, age 57, is a 21-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, according to multiple news reports.

In a department-wide message to police obtained by the Chicago Tribune, Snelling said the slain officer was assigned to the Albany Park District and that the suspect had been taken into custody in connection with an earlier robbery.

“This officer gave his life to protect his fellow Chicagoans, and we will never let our city forget his sacrifice,” Snelling wrote.

Snelling did not identify the officers but confirmed in the memo that the officer who died was 38 years old, according to a Chicago Sun-Times report.

Alderman Jim Gardiner first confirmed the police officers were shot at the hospital, 5145 N. California Ave. The incident occurred around 10:45 a.m., Gardiner said.

Alderman Andre Vasquez said a second incident connected to the shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. in the 2600 block of West Winona Street. Details about that incident remain unclear.

A suspect was later taken into custody, Vasquez confirmed.

Around 12:15 p.m., Endeavor Health released a statement confirming the Swedish Hospital campus was closed.

"We are not aware of any active threat within the hospital and patients and team members at Swedish Hospital are safe," the company said. Just before 6 p.m., Endeavor Health said the hospital had reopened, adding, "There continues to be a law enforcement presence related to their ongoing investigation."

Hospital officials added, "We are grateful to our team members and law enforcement officers for their efforts in response to today’s shooting and their commitment every day. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident, particularly the officers involved and their families."

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the shooting "a very difficult moment for the City of Chicago."

Johnson added, "Our officers stand in the way of harm every single day, risking their lives, and they have families who expect them to come home. Tragically, one of our officers will not be returning home, and another is currently fighting for their life. This is a heartbreaking loss for our city."

Gov. JB Pritzker also reacted to the violence, saying in a statement, "Illinois mourns the loss of an officer who was shot and killed at Swedish Hospital. May their memory be a blessing, and may we come together to pray for the critically injured officer's recovery."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.