SUBSCRIBE to TheReedersBlock.com to stay updated on what’s happening around you. This article is 100% human-written. Don’t miss a beat.
What’s being framed as a “street takeover” led to a police-involved shooting and one officer being injured. The incident comes amid numerous takeovers that have cost Chicagoans thousands in property damage and bodily harm. Here’s the most recent troubling incident.
What Happened
At 3 am on July 12, police responded to a call about a large gathering and disorder in the 300 block of E. Balbo Dr. in Grant Park.
According to FOX News, upon arrival, the police laid out a “deflation device” to stop any involved vehicles from leaving the scene. One driver wasn’t going to let the spike strip stop them, reports claim.
Police allege that the driver of a black sedan attempted to “go around” the spike strip. They claim that the driver headed in the direction of the officer during the escape attempt. It only escalated from there.
The officer fired their weapon, striking the car. Eventually, the car broke past but was stopped shortly thereafter. The driver was taken into custody, and no one in the vehicle was injured by gunfire.
According to police, the officer suffered an injured ankle.
But the investigation is just starting.
COPA Investigates the Shooting
COPA, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, is looking into the shooting which is standard protocol. The organization’s mission is to examine the evidence and identify any police misconduct. The officer who shot has more interviewing ahead.
As is typical, the officer has been placed on administrative leave. During this time, COPA, along with the CPD, will conduct investigations. The purpose is to provide transparency around the shooting and gather the facts.
The Takeaway
What’s being called a “street takeover” led to a police-involved shooting and an officer allegedly being injured in the course of attempting to shut it down. An officer was allegedly injured, but no one was shot. The takeover on Balboa is just a small frustrating part of a larger occurrence of takeovers causing bodily harm and thousands in property damage.
Jermaine Reed, MFA is an educator and the Editor-in-Chief of TheReedersBlock. Take time to Subscribe. It helps promote independent journalism and the site. Follow him on TikTok, where he has over 9 million views and nearly 1 million likes. Help him get there. Email editor@thereedersblock.com with any questions.
Discover more from The Reeders Block
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
One thought on “Police-Involved Shooting and Injury at “Street Takeover” Downtown”