2 wounded, including innocent bystander in shootout with Chicago police in Pilsen

CHICAGO - A shootout with Chicago police Friday morning left two people wounded, including an innocent bystand, in the Pilsen neighborhood on the city's Southwest Side.

Just before 7 a.m., police say two officers spotted four people in masks loitering near a closed business in the 1000 block of West 18th Street.

When the officers stopped their car for an "investigatory stop," police say one of those people pulled out a gun and began exchanging gunfire with the officers.

Two people were hurt, a 23-year-old man and a 36-year-old male innocent bystander who suffered a graze wound to his leg but is in good condition.

The 23-year-old was taken to Stroger Hospital with gunshot wounds.

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Police say its unclear right now if that bystander was struck by police or the suspect.

No officers were injured, but two cops were transported to area hospitals for observation.

A woman, who did not want to be identified, was walking to work heard the shots and saw a man lying on the sidewalk. 

"I'm telling you I thought it sounded like the Fourth of July. I thought it was gang-related for the amount of shots that were fired because it was just so many. I'm like wow, they want this man dead," she said.

She dropped to the ground and started to dial 911 on her phone but then saw police officers at the scene.

"Following this exchange of gunfire, both officers exited the vehicle. The shooter, while fleeing the scene, continued to fire shots at the officers," Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said.

Brown says three people are in custody for questioning. The gunman, however, fled the scene and remains at large.

At least a dozen evidence markers scattered the scene as 18th Street was closed between Carpenter and Morgan streets for the investigation.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the incident.