OAK PARK, In poor health. (CBS) — An Oak Park police officer was shot and killed Friday morning whereas responding to a report of a person with a gun leaving a financial institution. The suspect additionally was shot by police, and has been taken into custody.
Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson stated Detective Allan Reddins, 40, had been with the Oak Park Police Division since Could 2019. He was the primary Oak Park officer killed within the line of responsibility since 1938.
“That is the worst day of any chief of police,” Johnson stated. “Our police division, we’re hurting proper now. I am hurting. His household is hurting. Please hold us in your prayers.”
Round 9 a.m., Reddins responded to a name of a person with a gun leaving the Chase Financial institution within the 1000 block of Lake Avenue, based on Johnson. Reddins and different officers got here throughout the suspect within the 800 block of Lake Avenue, and advised the person to point out them his palms.
The gunman brandished a handgun and shot Reddins within the left facet. Officers returned hearth, capturing the suspect within the leg.
Reddins was taken to Loyola College Medical Middle in essential situation, the place he was pronounced lifeless at 10:10 a.m. The suspect additionally was being handled at Loyola.
The capturing caught individuals in Oak Park off guard and left bullet holes within the home windows on the village’s predominant library, which was closed to the general public after the capturing.
A witness stated she was on the UPS retailer close by when she heard somebody storm out of a retailer after which heard what seemed like gunshots.
“I knew it was gunshots. I did not wish to consider that,” she stated.
Nicholas Gradishar stated he was strolling to a good friend’s home close by when he heard gunshots.
“I get down after I hear the photographs, after which I come to the library to see it plagued by cops,” he stated.
Gradishar stated he noticed police take the suspect into custody after he’d been shot.
“They have been checking his pockets. They discovered a bit handgun, however off to the facet, there was an ARP with a flashlight. So I do not know which one he used to shoot on the cops, however he had a number of weapons on him,” he stated.
Gradishar recorded footage of the suspect on the bottom with a gun close by. Moments later, parademics took him away on a stretcher.
“Nothing occurs up right here. Chances are you’ll discover a struggle or so, however nothing like it will ever occur right here. So it is wild,” he stated.
A police procession took Reddins’ physique from the hospital to the Prepare dinner County Medical Examiner’s workplace Friday afternoon. Dozens of cops and firefighters from Chicago, Oak Park, and different suburbs stood at consideration and saluted because the ambulance arrived and Reddins’ physique was escorted inside.
Johnson stated Reddins leaves behind a 19-year-old son, alongside along with his mom and siblings.
The chief described him as a “natural-born chief, devoted father,” saying she personally carried out Reddins’ background test earlier than hiring him as an officer in 2019.
“I rapidly recognized that he had a expertise that was wanted right here,” she stated. “He closed substantial circumstances and helped us to resolve numerous incidents. He was a pure,”
Earlier than becoming a member of the Oak Park Police Division, Reddins additionally served with the Metra Police Division. He had been a detective in Oak Park since 2022.
“I believed he would make an outstanding subject coaching officer as nicely, and I used to be wanting very a lot ahead to him changing into a sergeant. He was only a pure chief,” Johnson stated. “He would all the time take the additional step, go the additional step, and that is big, to say what else could be performed?”
Investigation into the incident was ongoing Friday night. Johnson declined to say if the capturing was captured on video however stated Oak Park officers are geared up with physique cameras.
Info on Reddins’ funeral preparations will probably be posted on the Oak Park village web site as soon as they’ve been made.
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