Chicago police officer wounded in Englewood shootout released from hospital

A Chicago police officer seriously wounded in a shootout during a traffic stop in Englewood last weekend was released from the University of Chicago Medical Center on Sunday.

Officer Erik Moreno left the hospital Sunday afternoon — exactly a week after he was shot — in a wheelchair and with a black sling on his arm. Dozens of officers who had gathered to greet him applauded as he appeared, then saluted as he was wheeled past.

Moreno emerged from the hospital to the salutes and cheers of his fellow officers, with a bagpiper leading the way. Officers and other spectators lined the sidewalk as Moreno shook hands and chatted with officers.

Moreno was among three uniformed officers attempting to make a traffic stop in the 6900 block of South Sangamon Street when he was shot in the torso and arm and rushed to the U of C hospital in serious-but-stable condition.

A suspect who police say opened fire on the officers was at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, reportedly in critical condition.

Moreno is the second wounded officer to be released from the University of Chicago this week. Officer Fernanda Ballesteros was released from the South Side hospital Monday morning. She was shot in the shoulder while trying to conduct a traffic stop in the 6100 block of South Paulina Street days earlier.

Ballesteros encouraged Moreno shortly after he was shot:

“To my fellow brother in blue who was recently injured in the line of duty: Don’t ever feel alone because you have a whole line of support from the blue family that wishes you a speedy recovery,” she said.

Chicago Police Department