When police pull someone over for a traffic stop, countless things can go wrong. A case that happened near Chicago illustrates just how bad things can get.
Cicero police tried to make a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull off the road, forcing law enforcement officers to call in more cars and box the car in at an entrance ramp to Interstate 55. The motorist then got out of his vehicle and started shooting, firing off multiple rounds and hitting one officer four times.
As other officers took cover, the suspect fled on foot, shooting wildly at the officer giving chase. Thankfully for all the law officers involved, an armed citizen was near at hand, and he started firing in defense of the police. That gave the law team time to fire, too. One bullet hit the suspect, though it is unclear whether the round came from the armed citizen or police.
“We were lucky enough to have a citizen on street that is a concealed-carry holder, and he engaged in gunfire with this offender who was struck one time,” Cicero Police Superintendent Jerry Chlada told reporters at a press briefing.
Because the armed citizen, who has not been identified, helped end the situation quickly, the injured officer, Luis Duarte, received prompt medical treatment and has been listed in good condition after surgery.
The motorist that police were checking also survived and is listed in serious condition.
