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Shooting at Swedish Hospital
A robbery suspect opened fire on Chicago police officers inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital on Saturday morning, killing one officer and critically wounding another, according to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and multiple local outlets.
The shooting happened at the hospital at 5140 North California Avenue in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood, with ABC7 reporting the incident occurred around 11 a.m. and that the hospital campus was on lockdown.
ABC7 Chicago said officers had taken the suspect to the emergency room for treatment, and that Endeavor Health stated the individual was “wanded upon arrival” and “was escorted by law enforcement at all times” as required by hospital safety protocols.
ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the suspect was scanned with weapon-detection tools by hospital security, and that around 11 a.m. the suspect got a hold of a firearm, began shooting and fled.
Block Club Chicago said the shooter was a robbery suspect who was being treated at Swedish Hospital following his initial arrest, and that the shooting occurred after the suspect was taken for “observation” before the shooting about 10:50 a.m.
CBS News Chicago reported that the prisoner receiving treatment opened fire inside Swedish Hospital, and that SWAT teams surrounded a nearby home after the gunman fled.
Across the accounts, the officers were taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center/Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where one officer was pronounced dead and the other was described as critically wounded or “fighting for his life.”
How the incident unfolded
Investigators and hospital officials described a sequence in which officers transported a person in police custody to Swedish Hospital for treatment or observation, then the suspect later fired at officers and escaped the building.
ABC7 Chicago said the suspect was a robbery suspect who officers had arrested and had brought to the hospital's emergency room for some sort of treatment, and that Endeavor Health said the individual was “wanded upon arrival” and “was escorted by law enforcement at all times.”
The hospital also said the campus was closed while law enforcement led the investigation, and ABC7 Los Angeles quoted Endeavor Health saying there was no “active threat” within the hospital and that patients and staff are safe.
PBS, citing Associated Press, said “Officers transported an individual over to the Swedish hospital for an observation, at which time two of our officers were shot,” and described one officer as critically shot with the death pronounced.
The Associated Press account similarly said the suspect fled the Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital after the shooting at around 10:50 a.m., and that he was later detained and a gun was recovered.
CNN reported that it was unclear how the suspect, who was screened with a metal detection wand on entry and escorted by law enforcement throughout the facility, was able to get a firearm, adding that “It’s still under investigation.”
Multiple outlets also reported that a third weapon was recovered during the suspect’s arrest, with CBS News Chicago saying Snelling disclosed that a third gun was recovered, and CNN saying “A ‘third weapon’ was also recovered, Snelling said.”
Identities, injuries, and officials
The shooting’s human toll was described through the ages, years of service, and the conditions of the two officers, while officials said they had not released names pending notification of families.
“CHICAGO -- A Chicago police officer was killed and another was in critical condition after a suspect opened fire while in custody inside a hospital, officials said”
ABC7 Chicago reported that a 38-year-old officer died and another remained in critical condition, and it said the identity of the fallen officer had not yet been released.
Block Club Chicago said the officer who died was 38 and that the other officer was 57, with Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling declining to release the deceased officer’s name pending notification of his family.
CBS News Chicago reported that Snelling said a 38-year-old officer and a 10-year veteran was killed, while a 57-year-old officer and a 21-year veteran was critically wounded.
CNN similarly said the officer killed was 38 years old and had spent 10 years with the department, while the injured officer was 57 and spent 21 years with the department.
Several outlets also quoted Snelling describing the danger of policing and urging prayers for the families of the officers.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and state officials also weighed in, with CBS News Chicago quoting Johnson saying, “One of our officers will not be able to return to their family,” and CNN quoting Gov. JB Pritzker saying, “Illinois mourns the loss of an officer who was shot and killed at Swedish Hospital.”
Neighborhood response and safety steps
As police activity surged around the hospital, officials and residents described lockdowns, shelter-in-place guidance, and the visible presence of SWAT teams and tactical officers.
ABC7 Chicago said the hospital campus was on lockdown and law enforcement officials were on the scene for hours, and it described a heavy police presence at the hospital hours after the shooting.
The outlet also quoted Alderman Andre Vasquez warning residents about the active shooter situation in the neighborhood, with Vasquez saying, “I think what neighbors can take from this, currently the suspect is in custody, the investigation is happening and we're all hoping for the best for the officers that were shot.”
Block Club Chicago reported that Vasquez emailed neighbors to warn there had been an active shooter situation at the hospital, “with multiple shots fired and two officers shot, one in critical condition,” and that he warned neighbors to shelter in place and avoid the area around the hospital.
NBC 5 Chicago said residents were told to shelter in place amid the manhunt, and it reported that the lockdown was lifted by 2 p.m. but the hospital remained closed.
FOX 32 Chicago said the spokesperson for Endeavor Health stated the hospital was “not aware of any active threat” and that patients and staff were safe.
Several outlets also described the public’s reaction and memorial activity, including ABC7 Chicago quoting witness Beatriz Cortez and Nam Tran, and the Chicago Sun-Times describing a procession to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
What happens next and what’s unclear
While authorities said the suspect was taken into custody and that a gun was recovered, multiple outlets emphasized that key details remained under investigation and that officials were still “unravel[ing]” how the suspect obtained a firearm.
“LINCOLN SQUARE — A robbery suspect was recaptured after he fatally shot one Chicago Police officer and critically wounded another Saturday morning while the suspect was being treated at Swedish Hospital following his initial arrest, authorities said”
CNN said it was unclear how the suspect, screened with a metal detection wand on entry and escorted by law enforcement throughout the facility, was able to get a firearm, and it quoted Snelling saying, “It’s still under investigation.”
The Guardian quoted Snelling saying, “We have a lot to unravel here,” and it also quoted him saying, “I just want to be clear about one thing: we can talk about the crime and the criminal activity that led up to this, but right now this is about these officers and their family members.”
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that it wasn’t immediately clear how the suspected gunman had a gun after he was taken into custody, and it described conflicting accounts from police sources about when officers realized the suspect was armed.
ABC7 Chicago said authorities did not immediately provide further information and that the investigation was developing.
Several outlets also reported ongoing investigation steps and hospital access changes, including FOX 32 Chicago saying the hospital was open with controlled access through the Galter Medical Pavilion first floor entrance.
In parallel, officials framed the incident as a reminder of the dangers of policing, with the Associated Press reporting the city was providing mental health support services to police officers so they can do their jobs.
