Gunman In Shooting Of CPD Cop Apprehended, In Critical Condition

CHICAGO, IL — The suspect wanted in the shooting of a Chicago police officer is in critical condition after being apprehended by cops who had been searching for him since the Saturday morning shooting in West Englewood.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the suspect is identified as Michael Blackman, 45, a suspected gunman wanted in connection with the shooting in the Fulton River District earlier this week where a 28-year-old woman was shot and injured.

Blackman was located via video that showed him going through a vacant lot in the 6400 block of South Hoyne Avenue, according to police. Officers went to the lot to search for the suspect and a gun battle ensued, Chicago Police Deputy Chief Brendan Deenihan said at a press conference.

The suspect then fled over nearby train tracks where officers were waiting. Deenihan said the gun battle continued and the suspect was struck.

He was taken to Christ Hospital where he was rushed into surgery. Deenihan said he has "eight holes" in him and a broken femur.

No officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.

At an earlier press conference, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson gave details about the Saturday morning shooting that led to the manhunt. Johnson said that officers from the department's fugitive apprehension team were attempting to locate a fugitive Saturday morning. Shortly after 8:30 a.m. they came into contact with the offender when there was a physical struggle followed by an armed confrontation, according to Johnson.

The first call for shots fired came from the 6500 block of South Winchester where the officer was struck. Cops were able to return gunfire but it's unclear whether the suspected shooter was hit.

Cops acted quickly to help the injured officer and the officer himself applied his own tourniquet to control the bleeding from the gunshot wound, according to Johnson.

The cop was taken to Christ Hospital where he is in stable condition. A trauma surgeon at the hospital said at the press conference that the officer arrived at the hospital bleeding to death.

The officer is in the ICU and will need further operations but he is expected to have a good recovery. The cop is a 16 year veteran of the department.

Law enforcement officials, including the U.S. Marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, were searching for the gunman.

Johnson said Blackman has an extensive arrest history going back to 1991.

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