BTN STAFF
One police officer has been killed and another is fighting for his life after a shootout with civilians in Chicago. Chicago police confirmed on their Twitter account that the officer was Ella French. She is the first female officer shot to death in the line of duty since Irma Ruiz, who was killed inside an elementary school in 1988.
The incident occurred late Saturday night when the officers pulled over a car at a routine traffic stop. When the officers got out of the car, they were met with gunfire. The officers returned fire and wounded one of the suspects. There were two men and a woman in the car. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said all three occupants were in custody, but no charges had been filed.
On Sunday morning, Chicago mayor, Lori Lightfoot had a press conference to address the situation. “The police are not our enemies,” she said. “We must come together. … We have a common enemy: It’s the guns and the gangs.” Lightfoot continued by saying “Our hearts ache for the loss of life. This is a very tragic and sad day for our city.”