Multiple Chicago police officers struck by driver near teen gathering
Multiple Chicago police officers were struck by a driver while breaking up a massive teen gathering on Chicago’s West Side Sunday morning.
The gathering prompted dozens of police officers to respond to the area just before 4 a.m.
While officers were breaking up the gathering, the driver of a blue sedan was traveling westbound in an eastbound lane and struck multiple officers, according to Chicago police.
The vehicle then drove over the curb and came to a stop after striking a pole and a fence.
The 18-year-old driver was not injured and was taken into custody. A weapon was recovered from the vehicle.
A total of five officers were taken to area hospitals, and all were listed in fair condition, police said.
NBC Chicago crew members also heard several gunshots on scene just before 4 a.m. and witnessed a crashed sedan with a broken back window.
This Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kickoff of summer, and large-scale teen gatherings have been a focus of concern at City Hall.
On Thursday, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling spoke about preventing the gatherings from getting out of control.
“Our goal is always to be proactive versus reactive, because if we’re proactive, we prevent things. When we’re reactive, we’re responding to things that have already occurred,” he told reporters.
This is a developing story, and will be updated with more details.
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