Chicago is mourning after a police officer was killed and another was left fighting for his life following a shocking shooting inside Swedish Hospital on Saturday morning. Authorities said the gunfire erupted after officers brought a robbery suspect to the emergency room for treatment. The suspect was later captured.

Chaos Inside Hospital After Suspect Opens Fire

Police said the two officers had transported the suspect to Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in the Lincoln Square area when the situation turned deadly.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, in a department-wide message obtained by local media, described the tragedy as “a devastating loss for our department and our city.”

He also paid tribute to the slain officer, writing: “This officer gave his life to protect his fellow Chicagoans, and we will never let our city forget his sacrifice.”

Officials said the fallen officer was 38 years old and had served with the department for 10 years.

The second wounded officer, who remains in critical condition, is 57 years old and has more than two decades on the force.

Snelling said the surviving officer is “fighting for his life.”

Suspect Fled Hospital, Later Captured

Hospital officials said the suspect arrived around 9 a.m. and opened fire roughly two hours later before running from the building.

A surveillance image reportedly showed the man running naked down a nearby street with white patches attached to his chest. As of Saturday night, no criminal charges had been announced.

Endeavor Health released a statement saying: “The safety of our patients and team members remains our top priority.”

The hospital system added: “We are cooperating with law enforcement during their investigation and our deepest compassion remains with the officers and their families.”

Mayor Calls It A Painful Day For Chicago

Speaking outside Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where both officers were taken after the shooting, Mayor Brandon Johnson said it was a “real difficult moment for our city.”

He continued: “This tragedy and this loss is not only heartbreaking, but it’s a constant reminder of why we have to continue to ensure that our police department has the services and resources that they need to effectively do their job.”

Meanwhile, dozens of officers gathered outside the hospital later in the day as the body of the slain officer, draped in a Chicago flag, was placed into an ambulance.

“He will never be forgotten,” officers said in unison.

Investigation Turns To How Gun Entered Hospital

Authorities have not yet explained how the suspect obtained the weapon used in the shooting.

Snelling confirmed the man had initially been arrested for robbery and taken to the hospital for “observation.”

He urged focus on the officers and their loved ones, saying: “Right now, this is about these officers and their family members.”

He added: “These are the dangers of policing. These officers know it, they understand it, but they still go out and they do it.”

According to sources familiar with the investigation, officers had first arrested the suspect after an alleged robbery at a Family Dollar store in the 3200 block of West Lawrence Avenue shortly after 8 a.m.

Community Gathers To Honor Officers

Later Saturday, around 40 mourners gathered in Hale Park in the Clearing neighborhood to pray and pay respects.

One officer in attendance said the slain cop had held the door for him only two days earlier during shift change. He described the wounded officer as someone known around the station for playing music in the locker room and “singing his lungs out.”

Neither officer had been publicly identified by Saturday evening.

Former state lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey also attended, saying: “My heart simply breaks for the family that’s enduring this because I know what they’re going through.”

He added: “Right now we need to remember these families, we need to remember this life lost, we need to pray for the police officer that’s in the hospital.”

Rosario Huicochea, who came with her husband from Little Village, said they wanted to show “unity with the families.”

Her son is a Chicago police officer, and she said fears for his safety are constant. When she heard of the shooting, her first thought was that the officers were “somebody’s son, somebody’s father.”

Massive Police Response Stuns Neighbors

Residents near the hospital described an overwhelming law enforcement response as officers searched block by block.

Nicholas Brown, 29, said he saw hundreds of officers, some carrying assault rifles, accompanied by police dogs and riot shields.

“I’ve lived here for a few years,” Brown said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Another nearby resident, Jean Brown, said the suspect was ultimately found hiding beneath the back deck of a home in an alley near West Carmen Avenue and West Winona Street.

“It’s sad news from the hospital,” she said.