Officer Shot, Offender Wounded On South Side: Police

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago police officer was shot in the leg and an offender was also wounded in an exchange of gunfire Wednesday night on the far South Side, police said.

Officers exchanged gunfire with the occupants of a vehicle during a traffic investigation around 8:32 p.m. in the 9200 block of South Stony Island in the Calumet Heights area, according to police reports.

"A traffic investigation is how we are characterizing it, which is a little different than a traffic stop and the further investigation by the officers led to the exchange of gunfire," Superintendent David Brown told reporters late Wednesday.

One officer was hit in the leg and was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the vehicle occupants was also shot and taken to a local hospital. That person's condition was unknown, police said late Wednesday.

A second person of interest was in custody. Brown said at least one gun was recovered in the incident.

The incident and the officers' use of force is under investigation by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days, police said.