Five Chicago police officers were struck by a car early Sunday morning while dispersing a crowd on the city’s west side, according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD). The incident occurred at approximately 3:20 a.m. in the 1200 block of S. Loomis Street. Officers were on foot dispersing a large gathering when a blue vehicle traveling westbound in an eastbound lane hit them. The car then mounted a curb, crashed into a police patrol car, a utility pole, and a fence before stopping. Police arrested an uninjured 18-year-old male, and charges are pending. A weapon was recovered from the vehicle. All five officers were taken to area hospitals and listed in fair condition. No other injuries were reported.
Deeper Dive & Context
Incident Details
The CPD described the incident as preliminary and offered no additional details. The 18-year-old driver was not injured and was taken into custody. The recovered weapon’s type and relevance to the incident were not specified. The officers were part of an effort to disperse a crowd, which Alderman Jim Gardiner of the 45th Ward described as a "teen takeover."
Related Events
About 30 minutes after the incident, a 19-year-old man was shot in the 1100 block of West Roosevelt Road. Police did not confirm if the shooting was related to the large gathering. Over the Memorial Day weekend, Chicago police reported 19 shootings, including teens among the victims.
Official Responses
The CPD has not provided further commentary on the incident or the driver’s motives. Alderman Gardiner’s characterization of the event as a "teen takeover" suggests a pattern of youth-related gatherings in the area. The department’s statement remains preliminary, with no indication of whether the driver was part of the crowd or acting independently.