CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Two Chicago police officers were wounded Wednesday night after a third Chicago officer accidentally discharged a gun while struggling with a suspect during an arrest in southwest suburban Lyons.
According to Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, officers had spotted a car around 9:15 p.m. in the 1200 block of South Lake Shore Drive that was flagged by license plate reader technology as being wanted in connection with a fatal shooting.
A police helicopter was called to follow the car, which stopped at a Citgo gas station in the 8000 block of West Ogden in Lyons. There, officers surrounded the car and there was a struggled with the people inside. While arresting a suspect, an officer who had his handgun drawn accidentally fired once, apparently striking the two other officers, Brown said.
One officer was hit in the shoulder and the other was struck in the arm, Brown said. The bullet likely went through one officer and hit the other, according to Brown.
Both officers were taken to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. They were eventually transferred to Loyola Medical Center, and both are reported to be in good condition.
“They seem to be in decent, good condition. But again, we just got to the hospital, doctor’s still treating [them,]” Brown said. “The officer that fired the weapon is not injured, but obviously it’s very traumatic to accidentally have this happen.”
“Lucky, grateful, could’ve been worse,” Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara added.
Two people were taken into custody and a gun was recovered inside the car, Brown said. Police are investigating whether the two were involved in the fatal shooting.
The officer who discharged the gun will be placed on administrative duties for at least 30 days, though Brown said it “could be longer based on the circumstances as we continue to investigate.”
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability will investigate the shooting.
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(WBBM Newsradio and the Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this copy.)