A Monday morning chase ended with a suspect behind bars after he allegedly opened fire on Chicago police.
The violence erupted around 6:03 a.m. in the 7500-block of South Peoria Street.
Officers were inside two marked squad cars when a male suspect began firing at them.
Remarkably, no officers were struck by the gunfire during the initial ambush.
The officers on the scene did not return fire, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Following the shooting, the suspect sped away in a black Nissan SUV.
Police immediately began a high-speed pursuit through the South Side neighborhood.
The chase came to a crashing halt in the 7600-block of South Union Avenue.
The suspect lost control of the SUV and slammed into two additional marked police vehicles.
After the collision, the man attempted to escape on foot.
Officers caught up to the suspect quickly and took him into custody without further incident.
Investigators confirmed they recovered a weapon at the scene of the arrest.
Two officers involved in the incident were transported to a local hospital for observation.
Medical staff released both officers later that morning with no major injuries reported.
Area One detectives are currently leading the investigation into the shooting and subsequent crash.
Safety Concerns in Gresham and Auburn Gresham
This brazen morning attack highlights a troubling trend of violence against law enforcement in the Area One district.
The 7500-block of South Peoria Street sits in a pocket of the South Side that has seen a recent uptick in shots-fired calls.
Local residents expressed deep frustration as they woke up to crime scene tape and heavy police presence.
Maurice Smith, a neighbor in the area, said the police are doing their best but cannot solve the issue alone.
Smith noted that the neighborhood must come together to deter the ongoing violence that has become all too common.
Just months ago, similar pursuit incidents in the surrounding blocks have raised alarms about reckless driving during police chases.
Community leaders continue to call for increased patrols and better communication between the precinct and the public.
For many living near South Peoria Street, this latest shooting is a grim reminder of the risks faced by both police and civilians.
