The shooting took place at the North End Sheffield Commons shopping mall 1000-block of West North Avenue.
“I got a call from my husband that all roads were blocked and the police were on the road towards the hospital,” said Emily, who lives nearby and asked to share only her first name.
Police said the officer was shot in the cheek and was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital for treatment in good condition. Spokesman Tom Ahern said he was released from the hospital around 8 p.m. and stayed in the 18th district before going home to his family.
WATCH: Chicago Police Full Update
Chicago Superintendent of Police David Brown said the incident began when a strange and erratic customer caught the attention of employees and customers inside an Ulta Beauty store. The confrontation escalated quickly, and the shop’s security guard called the police. An officer replied.
Investigators said the perpetrator first began to clash with the officer in the store and then dropped out in the parking lot. Police said a second officer arrived almost immediately.
“The man got into his car, went inside his car, a fight broke out and shots were fired,” Brown said.
The man fired thrice, police said, but the officer was hit in the face only once, leaving him completely injured. The shooter was taken into custody almost immediately.
A short cell phone video clip shows the officer leaning against a silver car just moments after he was shot in the cheek, customers still scrambling, as co-workers rushed to his aid.
Related | Surveillance video shows traffic stop before fatal shooting of CPD officer
No further details about the officer have been released pending notification of his family. Brown said the officers did not fire their weapons. A gun was recovered, the police said.
Superintendent Brown said Chicago police were extremely quick to respond to both the Ulta store incident and the shooting itself as the department increased patrols in that area as part of its overall citywide security plan after some targeted shoplifting.
Related | Late CPD officer’s mother thanks Chicago in letter on daughter’s birthday
Dozens of investigators gathered surveillance video and marked bullet casings in the North Side shopping center.
Alderman Brian Hopkins confirmed that the store has been subject to organized shoplifting schemes in the past.
“It is a reminder of the danger these men and women face every day,” he said. “I don’t know how much more we can take out of it. I don’t know how our city can survive.”
Ulta issued a statement saying, “At Ulta Beauty, the safety of our associates and guests is our top priority. We are actively cooperating with the Chicago Police Department as they investigate what happens outside our store on Sheffield. What happened. Our teams will continue. Take care of each other.”
Read more | Fundraiser helps families of officers killed, injured in the line of duty
Copyright © 2021 WLS-TV. All rights reserved.
.