Chicago, Illinois – A tragic incident unfolded in the South Austin neighborhood on Monday night, resulting in one person dead and another seriously injured in a shooting involving Chicago police.
According to authorities, officers came across an altercation in the 300-block of South Cicero Avenue during a routine patrol around 11 p.m. Surveillance footage captured a man seeking help from a passing police officer at the intersection of Cicero and Gladys late on Memorial Day.
The video shows a confrontation escalating between two men, culminating in one man stabbing the other as he lay on the ground. Despite officers’ commands to drop the weapon, the assailant continued the attack, prompting police to use deadly force to stop the assault.
Tragically, the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Tracey D. Watson, passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital. The victim was rushed to Stroger Hospital in critical condition for medical treatment.
Following the shooting, the area was cordoned off as police and residents gathered at the scene. An investigation into the use of deadly force has been launched by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, with the involved officers placed on administrative duties for a minimum of 30 days.
The incident underscores the complex and challenging situations law enforcement officers face while carrying out their duties in communities. As the victim fights for his life at Stroger Hospital, questions remain surrounding the events that led to the fatal outcome.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to help shed light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The South Austin neighborhood is left grappling with the aftermath of the tragic incident as the community processes the events that transpired on a fateful night.
