Chicago Cop Wounded After Gun Accidentally Goes Off In Car

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer was wounded in the leg Tuesday when a gun accidentally went off while he was in his squad car on the Northwest Side, according to the department. The officer — a captain — "was talking, alert and in good spirits" following the incident, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

The accidental shooting happened at around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, while the officer was in the 3200 block of West Argyle Street in the Albany Park neighborhood. He drove to Swedish Covenant Hospital, where he was stabilized, and he will later be taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital for further care, Guglielmi said.

Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson left the city's budget hearing Tuesday after hearing about the shooting, according to Guglielmi. The incident now will be investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Photo via Chicago Police Department | City of Chicago