CPD: Officer fires gun at car during confrontation in Grant Park, no one struck

Chicago police fired shots during a confrontation with a large group in Grant Park in downtown Chicago early Sunday morning.

Police said at 3:02 a.m., they were called to the area of Balbo and Columbus drives for a large gathering, in which cars were speeding down the roadways. Earlier dispatch reports indicated that up to 25 cars were involved and that they were drag racing.

Officers deployed a tire-deflation device to stop the cars' activity, police said. At that point, a black car in the group of vehicles traveled around the device right toward an officer, police said.

The officer fired their gun and hit the car, but no one in the car was struck, police said.

The officer suffered an ankle injury and was treated and released from an area hospital.

The driver of the car was taken into custody, police said. No one else was injured in the incident, and no one was struck by gunfire.

Early dispatch reports also indicated that fireworks were thrown at police cars, but this was not mentioned in the official preliminary police account.

The police Investigative Response Team was investigating Sunday morning, along with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. COPA advised that anyone with information related to the incident should call 312-746-3609.