Police sergeant investigated after autistic man shot

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A Chicago police sergeant has been stripped of his police powers after he shot and injured an 18-year-old man who has autism during an altercation in Morgan Park on Aug. 13, according to authorities.

The Chicago Police Department (CPD) Office of News Affairs said the incident occurred on the 10900 block of South Hermosa Avenue at about 6 a.m. The subject suffered a gunshot wound to the arm, police said, and was taken in stable condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center.

At a news conference on Aug. 13, CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson said a 5th District sergeant was returning home from work when he observed an adult male “acting suspiciously.” The sergeant, who was in his personal vehicle, began to question the man, Johnson said, and the man became “elusive” and “unresponsive.”

The situation escalated “in some way,” Johnson said, “which prompted the off-duty sergeant to discharge his service weapon and strike the individual in the arm.”

The man was treated and released from the hospital, Johnson said, and a weapon has not been recovered.

According to Johnson, “the specifics and circumstances are still being investigated.”

According to a news release from CPD News Affairs, the incident is being investigated by the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) “with the full cooperation of the CPD.”

The officer was originally placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days.

IPRA sent a request for him to be stripped of police powers, Spokesperson Mia Sissac said, and News Affairs said the request was granted.

Sissac said the man was wearing a medical bracelet when he was shot by the officer, whose status will remain in effect, Sissac said, while the investigation is ongoing.