Four Officers Credited For Saving The Life Of 15-Year-Old Boy Shot In West Lawn

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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- We’re hearing in their own words today how four Chicago police officers helped save the life of a 15-year-old gunshot victim recently.

Around 12:45 a.m. on Nov. 19, the city’s ShotSpotter system notified police that shots had been fired around 71st and Lawndale.Sgt. James Desmond said his officers responded, "toured the area and heard cries for help."

Officer John Mitrogiannis said they found a 15-year-old who had been shot in the chest.

"He was wearing a white shirt covered with blood," he said.Officer Saul Avila said he kept reassuring the victim.

"I was actually talking to him throughout the whole ordeal. He just kept saying things like, ‘I don’t want to die,’" Avila said. "I just kind of just kept holding his hands, just reassuring him, 'you’re going to be alright. Stay with me, man. Keep looking at me, you’ll be alright, alright. The ambulance is on its way.'"All the while, Officer David Kasprzak applied a chest seal he carries in case he’s ever in need of life-saving help.

Capt. Ray Dougherty said he's proud of the officers' actions.

"They’re here to help and they did. They saved this person’s life," he said.

Officer Juan Guerrero said doing something like what the four officers did "is why we joined the department, because we want to help people."