Off-duty Chicago cop fires shot after being confronted in Lincoln Park alley

CHICAGO - A Chicago police officer has been temporarily placed on administrative duties after firing his weapon at two people in a Lincoln Park alley.

The incident drew a large police presence on Thursday afternoon. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) also responded to the scene to investigate. 

The shooting occurred at 3:18 p.m. in the 2700 block of N. Halsted Street – on a busy afternoon where sidewalks rarely see a break from foot traffic.

"The first thing I saw was a lot of helicopters overhead," said Eric McCann, who lives nearby. "It’s really shocking. This area, Lake View, Lincoln Park is very safe."

The officer, a 51-year-old police sergeant who was not working at the time, was in an alley traveling northbound in his vehicle when he saw two people running toward him.

According to police, one of the individuals was armed with a handgun.

The officer got out of his vehicle with his weapon and fired a single shot, officials said.

Both individuals ran from the officer. No injuries were reported, according to police.

"I wouldn’t be overly surprised if it was 3:30 a.m., but the afternoon is really strange," said Halley Eidson, who lives nearby.

In addition to residents and pedestrians, the area of Halsted and Diversey was also bustling with employees and area business owners on Thursday afternoon.

"My landlord called me. 'Can you go look in the alley? I heard there was a shooting back there,'" said Geneva Currin, the owner of Halsted Flowers.

Currin’s business connects to the alley where the shooting unfolded.

"We’re always in the alley. We take out our recycling, we take out our trash. We cut down our alley," said Currin.

The alley is also where McCann had taken his dog for a walk just minutes earlier.

"You kind of have to keep your head on a swivel at all times in Chicago," said McCann.

At Halsted and Schubert, Janet Tonyan was preparing to open aliveOne – a local bar – when she heard the gunshot.

"The whole city is experiencing so much trauma with all violence and it’s really sad," said Tonyan.

On Thursday night, FOX 32 Chicago was notified by an employee at the nearby Walgreens that just prior to the shooting, the individuals who were running down the alley were suspected of stealing two chargers from the store. However, CPD said they were not notified of any incident at the store.

CPD says the officer involved will be placed on administrative duties for 30 days as COPA conducts a comprehensive use of force investigation.

COPA is asking anyone with information about the incident to call their office at 312-746-3609.