Five Chicago police officers struck by driver while breaking up ‘teen takeover’

The incident occurred at around 3:20 am as Chicago Police Department officers on foot were trying to clear a large crowd from the area. Authorities said the driver of a blue car struck five officers before driving over a curb and crashing into a CPD squad car, as well as a pole and a fence.

The injured officers were transported to a hospital and are expected to recover. The suspect, an 18-year-old man, was taken into custody uninjured. Officers also recovered a firearm from the vehicle.

Roughly 30 minutes after the incident, a 19-year-old was shot, though police did not confirm if the shooting was related to the gathering.

The issue of so-called “teen takeovers” has continued in Chicago, and concerns have risen that participation will ramp up in the summer months. The gatherings typically involve large groups of young people suddenly assembling in public spaces, resulting in vandalism, violence, and other criminal activity.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling has explained that firearms are frequently recovered during these incidents.

"Our officers show a lot of restraint in these situations because they know they're dealing with young people. But, there are times when everyone on the scene, including the police and including the children that are there, are in serious, serious danger when we know that there is someone out there with guns," Snelling said, according to ABC 7 Chicago.

Snelling has also called on parents to play a role in addressing public safety.

"You know, it's not parent-shaming to say that you should know where your children are at 10, 11, 12 o'clock at night, when you have a 12-year-old or a 13-year-old," he said at the City Club of Chicago on Wednesday. "They're vulnerable, you know, when they go into these environments; they can be harmed, and they can be killed, and that has happened."

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