Multiple Chicago police officers were struck by a driver while breaking up a massive teen gathering on Chicago’s West Side Sunday morning.
The gathering prompted dozens of police officers to respond to the area of Roosevelt and Loomis just before 4 a.m.
While officers were breaking up the gathering, the driver of a blue sedan was traveling westbound in an eastbound lane and struck multiple officers, according to Chicago police.
The vehicle then drove over the curb and came to a stop after striking a pole and a fence.
“All of a sudden the car just sped off and took off and just plow through… saw a couple of teenagers and four or five officers hit,” said Justin Peters, who works with the violence intervention group Violence Interrupters.
The 18-year-old driver was not injured and was taken into custody. A weapon was recovered from the vehicle. Twelve others were also arrested in connection with the incident, according to law enforcement.
A total of five officers were taken to area hospitals, and all were listed in fair condition, police said.
Jenn Schanz has the latest updates after a large teen gathering took place overnight on the Near West Side.
NBC Chicago crew members also heard several gunshots on scene just before 4 a.m. and witnessed a crashed sedan with a broken back window.
This Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kickoff of summer, and large-scale teen gatherings have been a focus of concern at City Hall. Following the incident, Mayor Brandon Johnson called on parents to step in.
“We need our parents to know where the children are,” he said. “As much as we create opportunities for individuals, the accountability mechanism cannot just be the teenagers.”
Peters described the early morning violence as both random and unexpected.
“Last night should really be a wake up call,” he said. “Ya’ll gotta think twice about going to these type of block parties.”
