Chicago police fatally shoot man, 20, during West Ridge stolen car investigation

A motorist who tried speeding away, allegedly dragging an officer who was trying to pull him from the vehicle was fatally shot by police Tuesday night in West Ridge.

Around 10:25 p.m., tactical officers were investigating a parked and unoccupied stolen BMW sport-utility vehicle in the 5700 block of North Washtenaw Avenue when a dark car approached alongside the stolen SUV and two men tried to enter it, according to Chicago police.

As officers approached, one man fled while the other, 20, returned to the driver’s side of the dark car, police said.

Officers then ordered him to leave the vehicle and he refused, leading to a struggle where an officer was dragged by the vehicle as the 20-year-old got behind the wheel and tried speeding away, officials said.

The officer being dragged then discharged his firearm once, striking the man in the head and causing the vehicle to crash into a parked vehicle, authorities said.

The man was taken out of the sedan and taken to the Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

A woman who was also in the vehicle was taken into custody and two guns were recovered from the scene.

An officer suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital for treatment, police said.

Crime scene tape remained wrapped around a tree and streetlight pole Wednesday morning on the long residential block lined with apartments and homes.

Evan D., a resident who has lived on the block for almost five years, was sitting on his couch when he heard the incident unraveling.

“I did hear the car crash and what sounded like a gunshot,” Evan, 32, said. “[I] just heard stuff that didn’t sound like fireworks.”

Within minutes, Evan saw “at least a dozen” officers as the block was cordoned off to establish a perimeter.

Residents say the neighborhood is usually quiet without much suspicious activity. For Evan, he doesn’t feel any less safe because of the shooting.

“I’ve never heard a gunshot here,” Evan said. “It felt a little weird but I still felt safe.”

The specifics of the shooting are being investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

The Officer(s) involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days.