Robbery Suspect Kills Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital

A shooting at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Chicago left one Chicago police officer dead and another critically injured on Saturday morning, according to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and multiple local outlets.

“CHICAGO (WLS) -- Officials have identified the Chicago police officer killed in a shooting at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital as John Bartholomew”

ABC

ABC | Western Mainstream identified the slain officer as John Bartholomew, saying the shooting happened Saturday around 11 a.m. at 5140 North California Avenue in the city’s Ravenswood neighborhood.

ABC

Block Club Chicago reported that Bartholomew was one of two officers shot by a robbery suspect who opened fire on police and escaped from custody Saturday morning at Swedish Hospital, 5140 N. California Ave.

NBC 5 Chicago said the shooting occurred at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in the city’s Ravenswood neighborhood, with police saying that at around 10:50 a.m. a man in custody was receiving treatment at the hospital for an unrelated incident when he used a firearm to shoot two officers.

The suspect was later taken into custody, with NBC News saying the hospital statement described that the individual “later fired shots at the law enforcement officers and exited the hospital building” and “He was apprehended and remains in custody.”

WLS/ABC7 and other outlets also described that the hospital campus was placed on lockdown, and NBC Chicago reported that a lockdown was lifted around 2 p.m. local time.

Across reporting, the sequence of events centered on a suspect already in police custody being brought to the hospital for treatment and then firing on officers while they were at the emergency department.

The Guardian said the suspect “had already been in police custody related to a suspected robbery,” and that the person was taken to Endeavor Health Swedish hospital’s emergency department for treatment and was “wanded upon arrival” for weapon detection.

Block Club Chicago

NBC News similarly described that the hospital said the individual was brought into the hospital’s emergency department for treatment at 9 a.m. and was “wanded” for weapon detection, before “later fired shots at the law enforcement officers and exited the hospital building.”

NBC 5 Chicago added that Supt. Larry Snelling said the two officers had transported a person to the hospital for observation, and while doing so, the officers were shot, with Snelling declining to provide additional details citing an ongoing investigation.

WGN-TV reported that Endeavor Health officials said the alleged gunman was a patient who was in the custody of law enforcement and was brought in for treatment at around 9 a.m., and that hospital officials said the suspect was checked for weapons upon arrival and was escorted by law enforcement at all times.

Multiple outlets also described the aftermath: a manhunt and SWAT response, with Block Club Chicago saying the suspect’s escape led to a SWAT response and manhunt and that the man was taken into custody near the hospital.

The reporting consistently identified the dead officer as John Bartholomew, while also describing the second officer’s age and service length.

“One Chicago police officer was killed and a second was critically wounded when a prisoner who was receiving treatment opened fire inside Swedish Hospital in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood Saturday morning, authorities said”

CBS News

ABC | Western Mainstream said CPD Officer John Bartholomew, 38, was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office on Sunday morning, and that he had been with the Chicago Police Department for 10 years.

Block Club Chicago said Bartholomew was pronounced dead just before 1 p.m. Saturday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, and that he was assigned to the Albany Park (17th) District, Supt. Larry Snelling said.

NBC 5 Chicago and NBC News both described the wounded officer as 57 years old and a 21-year veteran, with NBC News quoting Snelling’s description that one officer was shot in the head and that the second officer was “fighting for his life.”

Multiple outlets also described weapons recovery, with ABC7 saying “a weapon was recovered when the suspect was taken into custody,” and NBC News saying “One person is in custody and a weapon has been recovered, Snelling said.”

The Chicago Sun-Times added that Snelling said police investigating the shooting had recovered three weapons, and NBC 5 Chicago said “A third weapon was recovered following the shooting, Snelling stated.”

Public officials and law enforcement leaders used the incident to emphasize the danger faced by officers and to call for prayers and support for the families.

NBC 5 Chicago quoted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson saying, “Today is a real difficult moment for our city. It's a tragedy,” and that “One of our officers will not be able to return to their family.”

Chicago Sun-Times

The Guardian quoted Snelling saying, “We have a lot to unravel here,” and also quoted him: “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 Guardian also included a statement from Brendan Kelly, director of the Illinois state police, saying, “Our hearts are heavy with grief for the CPD officer killed in the line of duty, and we pray for another officer shot and fighting to stay alive,” and that “Words cannot express sufficient gratitude for their sacrifice, nor convey the depth of loss.”

ABC | Western Mainstream included a statement from 45th Ward Alderman Jim Gardiner: “Please offer your thoughts and prayers for the family of Officer John Bartholomew, a 38-year-old husband and father, who was tragically murdered yesterday in the line of duty.”

WGN-TV also included a community reaction from Ria Majeske, who said, “I have lived in the city all my life, in the city proper, and never have seen anything like this,” and it quoted a neighbor describing the scene as “countless officers out here at the scene, so that speaks volumes to what happened.”

While the suspect was taken into custody, multiple outlets reported that investigators had not publicly resolved key questions about how the suspect obtained a firearm and what exactly occurred inside the hospital.

“OneChicago police officer was killedand another critically injured after they were shot at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital Saturday morning by a man they brought in for treatment at the emergency room, according to police and hospital officials”

Chicago Tribune

The Guardian said authorities “have not shared how the individual got hold of a firearm due to the ongoing investigation,” and it quoted Snelling saying, “We have a lot to unravel here.”

FOX 32 Chicago

NBC 5 Chicago similarly said Snelling declined to provide additional details about what occurred, citing an ongoing investigation, and it noted that “The investigation is ongoing.”

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that it remained unclear how the suspected shooter had a gun when he was arrested, and it described that a surveillance photo obtained by the Sun-Times appeared to show him running naked, with electrodes on his chest.

Looking ahead, Fox 32 Chicago reported that the investigation is ongoing and that the hospital is open with controlled access through the Galter Medical Pavilion first floor entrance, with those needing emergency care urged to use the Emergency Department entrance.

Block Club Chicago reported that charges have not been announced in the case as of Sunday morning, and it said the suspect’s escape led to a SWAT response and manhunt before the man was taken into custody near the hospital.