Chicago police officer shot and killed in line of duty in Gage Park ID’d

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Police Department is mourning one of its own after an officer was killed in the line of duty Wednesday.

The officer has been identified to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Andres Vasquez-Lasso, 32.

Vasquez-Lasso was shot on Chicago’s Southwest Side in an exchange of gunfire with a man accused of chasing a woman down the street with a gun.

WATCH: CPD update on officer killed in Gage Park

Vasquez-Lasso was originally from Cali, Colombia, and had been on the force for only five years. He was based out of the 8th Police District near 63rd Street and Homan Avenue, which was not just the community he served but also the community he lived in. Thursday morning, crews put up black and purple bunting over the entrance, a symbol of mourning honoring the fallen officer.

CPD comfort horses were stationed outside the station to offer support to the grief-stricken force and community alike.

“My heart breaks and I am furious because there is a war going on in the streets of Chicago where criminals have no fear,” said 23rd Ward Alderman Silvana Tabares.

Tabares, who is the alderman of the newly drawn ward where Vasquez-Lasso’s family lives, said their loss is personal for her as well; her husband is also a police officer.

“They run to danger to protect us. And that is what happened yesterday. Look what happened. And that’s why I say Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso is a hero and he will never be forgotten,” she said.

WATCH: Body of fallen police officer arrives at Medical Examiner’s office

A somber procession took place Wednesday night with dozens of police cars escorting Vasquez-Lasso’s body to the medical examiner’s office. First responders and citizens lined the streets to salute the ambulance as it went by.

There was also a massive police presence at Mt. Sinai hospital with officers gathering there to show their support.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown asked the city to pray for his family.

“I ask that this city cover this officer’s family. This is a family of public servants and as you can imagine, they are taking this tragedy, very, very hard,” Brown said.

“Our hearts go out to this young officer’s family,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. “We need to lift them up in our prayers, wrap our arms around them as they go through this journey of grief and loss.”

Lasso’s family as started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and provide support to his loved ones going forward.

The shooting unfolded Wednesday at around 4:45 p.m. in the 5200-block of South Spaulding Avenue.

Officers were responding to a 911 call about a person chasing a woman down the street with a gun. Police said as one pair of officers knocked on doors, another responding officer encountered the armed suspect who began running.

Brown said officers began to chase him at close range. Then, immediately and without warning, police said the suspect shot at Vasquez-Lasso. Vasquez-Lasso was able to return fire.

Brown said Vasquez-Lasso was shot multiple times and the 18-year-old suspect was shot in the head. He is in critical condition and remains hospitalized under police guard.

Neighbor Maria Davila said she saw the suspected gunman surrounded by police moments after the shooting.

“The guy who shoot the police, he say to the other police, ‘Shoot me, shoot me,'” she said.

Fifteenth Ward Alderman Ray Lopez said the gunman had previously been arrested in July 2022 after he was seen running from a stolen vehicle that had been used in a shooting. State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office filed misdemeanor charges in that case, and the suspect was released on an I-bond.

“We should have thrown everything we had at him months ago,” Lopez said. “And if we had done that, If Kim Foxx had done that, then Officer Lasso probably would be alive today.”

Foxx issued a statement about the charges in that July case, saying, “The defendant, who had no prior record, was given an I-bond after being charged on July 29, 2022, with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, after running from a vehicle that had been stopped by police.”

Foxx has not said when charged will be filed against the gunman, who has still not been identified.

Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas released a statement, saying in part, “The courageous men and women of the Chicago police department have suffered another tragic loss of one of their own to the ultimate sacrifice of protecting our communities. My heartfelt thoughts are with the officer’s loved ones and the entire CPD family who are grieving during this difficult time.”

Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson released a statement, saying, “This is a sad and sorrowful day for our city, and my heart goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of the Chicago police officer whose life was taken in the line of duty in Gage Park this afternoon. I am praying for healing for all those close as we await further details on this tragedy.”

The last Chicago police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty was Ofc. Ella French.

Officer Danny Golden was shot while off-duty last summer. He was trying to break up a fight outside a bar in Beverly. He was paralyzed in that shooting.

Governor JB Pritzker also reacted to the tragedy late Wednesday night, tweeting “Our hearts mourn the loss of the Chicago Police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice”.

“My deepest sympathies are with the officer’s family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time. His service will not be forgotten.”

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability will be conducting an investigation into the police shooting. Brown said body-worn camera footage is being reviewed.

Track crime and safety in your neighborhood