Two Chicago police officers shot during ambush in Lawndale; suspect in custody

CHICAGO (CBS)-- Two Chicago police officers were shot in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side early Friday morning.

According to the Chicago Police Department, the two off-duty officers were on their lunch break in line for hot dogs at The Original Maxwell Street, at Harrison Street and Independence Boulevard near the Eisenhower Expressway, around 3:30 a.m. A security camera run by the hot dog stand was rolling at the time.

Police Supt. David Brown said an officer waiting in line saw a man ahead of him in line reach into his pocket to pull out money, and drop a handgun. Before the officer could respond, the offender picked up the weapon and started shooting, hitting the officer. The gunman also fired three shots at a second officer who was sitting in their squad car.

One officer was shot in the leg and the second officer suffered a graze wound to the head.

"He picked up and shot me. Graze wound to the right side of my head, and my partner is shot in the leg," the officer told dispatchers.

Police said the offender dropped the weapon, fled the scene, and was taken into custody by a responding undercover officer near Genevieve Melody STEM Elementary School, at 3937 W. Wilcox St. a few blocks from the hot dog stand.

"Police did not fire any shots. They were really ambushed. When the offender dropped the gun before they could react, he began shooting. So they had no time to react. They were wounded, and the offender fled, and thank God that undercover officers were nearby, and officers were rallied around and captured this offender before he could escape," Police Supt. David Brown said.

The wounded officers were taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officer who suffered a graze wound to the head has since been released from the hospital, but Brown said the other will be hospitalized for a through the weekend.

"Again, this incident is a stark reminder that every hour of every day, the men and women of this department put their lives on the line," Brown said.

Brown said the shooter's weapon was recovered.

CPD Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan said police will be seeking attempted murder charges against the suspect, and expect to file charges within the next two days.

"We have a long way to go, but obviously he's in custody, and we believe we have the right person in custody, and we hope that we will charge this person within the next 48 hours," he said.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot released the following statement:

"Early this morning, two on-duty and uniformed Chicago police officers were shot in a brazen and callous attack while inside a restaurant in the 11th District. I am relieved to hear that both officers are in stable condition with non-life threatening injures, and that a suspect has been safely apprehended.

These are the third and fourth officers to be shot at or shot already in 2022, following 76 CPD officers being shot or shot at in 2021. This morning's attack is a stark reminder of the incredible dangers that our police officers face on a daily basis in order to keep our city safe. It also underscores that there are way too many people carrying illegal firearms and proves why diligent law enforcement action against illegal firearm possession is essential to our public safety.

To the officers who woke up today to this unnerving news and proceeded to put on their uniforms and report for duty: your heroism cannot be overstated, and your city owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude."

A source told CBS 2's Marrisa Perlman the released officer is a young father and husband and his family and friends are thankful he's recovering at home.

The restaurant has since reopened.