Romeoville Shooting: Police officer shoots while chasing suspect; A shelter-in-place order was issued for Sierra Trail, Summerfield Drive

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A Romeoville police officer was shot early Thursday and a hunt for suspects is under way, police said.

Officers found the vehicle that was reported stolen and approached the suspect while monitoring the vehicle, police said.

The suspect fled on foot and exchanged gunfire with officers near the Sierra Trail and Summerfield Drive intersection at 12:13 p.m., police said.

The officer was injured in the shoulder and taken to Loyola University Medical Center, police said.

Police have asked residents in the Sierra Trail and Summerfield Drive areas to take shelter in these places.

“One of our Romeoville police officers was shot,” Chief Ken Kroll said. “He was taken to Bolingbrook Hospital and since then he has been taken from Bolingbrook Hospital to Loyola University Medical Center. His condition, the information I received by phone, is that we are very positive at this time.”

Police described the suspect as a Hispanic male in his late 20s with a shaved head, facial tattoos, and about 5'6″ and weighing about 185 pounds.

Police also ask residents if you have any doorbell or camera footage that might be useful to call them.

It's been a very difficult year for first responders. The Chicago area has been going through a very painful time.

From March to May, the first four responders have been laid off.

Last week, Chicago Areanah Preston Police Officer Preston's funeral was held and in April, two Chicago firefighters died in the line of duty in separate fires in the space of just two days.

The Chicago Police Department also continues to mourn the loss of Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso who was shot and killed while on duty.

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