The Fourth of July weekend in Chicago was marred by violence, with two police officers shot during a struggle with an armed suspect and at least 16 others wounded in separate shootings across the city.
Preliminary police figures show that the officers were conducting a traffic stop in the South Chicago neighborhood just before 5 p.m. Friday when the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Malik Wrightsell, fled on foot.
Officers pursued Wrightsell into the 7900 block of South Chappel Avenue, where he allegedly resisted as they attempted to take him into custody. During the struggle, police said Wrightsell pulled out a handgun and fired, striking one officer in the abdomen.
The officer's ballistic vest stopped the bullet, and the officer returned fire, striking Wrightsell. A second officer was also shot in the arm during the confrontation, but their ballistic vest also stopped the bullet.
Responding officers rendered aid to both officers and Wrightsell before all three were transported to area hospitals. Wrightsell was listed in critical condition, while both officers were in good condition.
The shooting was one of 11 shooting incidents recorded across Chicago between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, leaving 16 people shot and three people dead.
In another incident, six people between the ages of 17 and 20 were wounded in a mass shooting on the city's West Side early Sunday. A 17-year-old girl was critically wounded in a separate shooting nearby, while a 33-year-old man was fatally shot on the West Side.
A 31-year-old man was critically wounded after being found shot inside a home Sunday afternoon. The preliminary figures marked a sharp decline from the Fourth of July holiday weekend in 2025, when Chicago recorded 32 shootings involving 44 victims.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
