Chicago police officer dead after shot on city's SW side

CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago police officer died after being shot Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent David Brown said.

The male officer was shot on the city's Southwest Side while responding to a call of a man chasing a woman with a gun, Brown said.

The officer's name was not immediately released because relatives were still being notified. On Thursday, however, Chicago PD posted a tweet, identifying the officer as Andres Vasquez-Lasso.

“At close range shots were exchanged between the offender and our officer who is now deceased,” Brown said in a news conference outside Mount Sinai Hospital.

Vasquez-Lasso was shot several times, he said.

Vasquez-Lasso returned fire and shot the suspect in the head, Brown said. The suspect, an 18-year-old with one prior violation, was in critical condition Wednesday night.

Vasquez-Lasso had five years on the job, Brown said.

“He had a bright future ahead of him," the superintendent said.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot appeared with Brown at the news conference.

“Tragedy has befallen the Chicago Police Department and, really, the city,” Lightfoot said.

The Milwaukee Police Department shared a statement on Twitter following the news of Vasquez-Lasso's death.

It said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Vasquez-Lasso family and our brothers and sisters at the Chicago Police Department during this very difficult time. Rest In Peace brother, we will take it from here."

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