Cop Accidentally Fires Gun During Chase: Police

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — An Evergreen Park cop’s gun accidentally discharged while chasing a suspect who had been involved in an accident while driving a stolen vehicle, police said. The man, along with his alleged accomplice, were both apprehended after a foot chase in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood.

Evergreen Park police stated in a news release that one of its officers was monitoring traffic in the 2900 block of West 95th Street around 11:16 a.m. on Sunday, May 5. The officer’s radar clocked a vehicle traveling 65 mph in a 30-mph zone. Police said the officer turned around and activated his emergency lights. According to the officer, the vehicle went through a red light at 95th Street and South California Avenue as it continued eastbound down 95th Street at a high rate of speed.

According to Evergreen Park police, the officer terminated the chase at 95th Street and Campbell Avenue, radioing a description of the vehicle and its last direction of travel. The officer learned that the vehicle had been involved in an accident with another car near 95th Street and Oakley Avenue. When the officer went to the accident scene, he observed someone get out of the damaged vehicle and run southbound.

Police said the officer chased the man on foot a few blocks but was unable to make an apprehension. He turned to the accident scene to determine if there were any injuries. While at the accident scene, a witness reported that a second person had exited the vehicle and had run westbound on 95th Street. The officer requested an ambulance for two people inside the vehicle that had been struck.

Evergreen Park police, with the assistance of the Chicago police, found both suspects in the Beverly neighborhood. Rashad B. Davis, 21, of Chicago, was apprehended in the backyard of a home in the 9600 block of South Claremont Avenue, Chicago. The Evergreen Park officer ordered Davis to stop but Davis ran away and tried to climb over a fence, police said. During the chase, police say the officer accidentally discharged his weapon. No one was struck by the discharged round.

Jarvis M. Hodges, 28, also of Chicago, was apprehended in the 9500 block of Leavitt Avenue, Chicago.

Charges are pending against both men. The accidental gun discharge is being investigated by the Evergreen Park Police Department. The speeder’s vehicle was not involved with Hodges or Davis, police said.