A police officer fired shots at a man, who appeared to be reaching for a gun, following a brief pursuit in North Chicago Saturday evening, officials said.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said that a North Chicago police officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle around 8:50 p.m. Saturday.
The officer reported that the driver appeared to be showing signs of impairment and refused to pull over.
The driver accelerated and attempted to elude the officer, Covelli said, adding that the driver eventually stopped near 24th Street and Dickey Avenue in North Chicago.
“The man exited his car, ignored the officer’s commands to put his hands up, and appeared to be reaching for a firearm in his waistband,” Covelli said.
The officer discharged his firearm and the man ran away.
North Chicago police officers established a perimeter and a short time later the man surrendered.
A semi-automatic pistol was recovered in the area where the man was hiding, Covelli said.
No one was injured in the shooting. The man was arrested and is being held pending charges.
Due to the officer discharging his firearm, North Chicago police requested the Lake County Major Crime Task Force respond to independently investigate the incident, Covelli said.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending a review of the incident.