Officer Shot In Head During 'Gun Battle' With Bank Robber: Cops

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer suffered more serious injuries than initially hoped during what police called a "gun battle" with an accused bank robber Tuesday night in the city's Old Irving Park neighborhood. A 15-year-old bystander was also shot in the incident, and the accused bank robber was shot and in critical condition.

Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi initially said the officer suffered a graze wound as officers from Chicago and Des Plaines were pursuing a 20-year-old suspected of robbing a Bank of America branch in Des Plaines. The officer was responsive and talking at the hospital, he said.

Later, Guglielmi said imaging showed the bullet did penetrate and exit the officer's skull.

In video from the scene at Irving Park Road and Lowell Avenue, a white Buick Lacrosse appeared to have been struck by a police car, WGN reported. The driver fled into a music store just as a 15-year-old boy and his mother were leaving the shop.

The 15-year-old was wounded by gunfire and taken to Lurie Children's Hospital, WGN reported.

The 20-year-old accused robber was shot and was in critical condition, police said.

Guglielmi described the scene as "extremely chaotic."

Mayor Lori Lightfoot urged Chicagoans to pray for the wounded officer.