Chicago officers wounded in traffic stop shootout as holiday weekend leaves 3 dead, 16 injured

Chicago’s South Chicago traffic stop turned into a shootout early in the holiday weekend, leaving three people dead and at least 16 others injured, according to preliminary figures cited by police. Malik Wrightsell, 34, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated assault of a peace officer, and multiple weapons-related offenses after a Friday stop just before 5 p.m. Police said Wrightsell fled on foot and resisted in the 7900 block of South Chappel Avenue. During the struggle, he fired a handgun and struck an officer in the abdomen, but the bullet was stopped by the officer’s ballistic vest before the officers returned fire and hit Wrightsell. A second officer was shot in the arm, with the vest again preventing fatal impact. Both officers received aid and were transported; both were listed in good condition. Wrightsell was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition as Chicago recorded 11 shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating.