CHICAGO — Chicago’s top cop said about 100 people were arrested and 13 police officers were injured after a night of looting in downtown Chicago.
Widespread damage was reported throughout Chicago after looting and rioting began around midnight Monday. Witnesses reported hundreds of people smashing their way into stores throughout Michigan Avenue, areas in the South Loop and the near North Side.
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said the looting started as a result of misinformation following a police-involved shooting in Englewood.
Brown said police were called to the 5700 block of Racine Avenue for a call with a man with a gun. Brown said that suspect was spotted and officers attempted to interview the man but he quickly fled. He said as the man was running away, he pointed a gun at officers and fired shots. Officers returned fire and struck him.
The man, 20, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and is expected to survive.
Brown said the 20-year-old had four previous arrested including burglary, child endangerment and domestic battery.
No officers were injured during the incident and a gun was recovered at the scene.
After the shooting, the superintendent said a crowd started to gather on the South Side following police action. He said tempers started to flare. Brown said CPD then became aware of social media posts encouraging looting downtown.
About 400 officers were dispatched downtown. The superintendent said caravans of people were seen heading downtown to loot.
Both Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot emphasized that the looting was not a part of an organized protest.
“This was not an organized protest,” Brown said. “This was an incident of pure criminality.”
Later Lightfoot answered questions from reporters.
“This is not an incident that requires the National Guard. Period. Full Stop,” she said.
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