MAN WOUNDED DURING SHOOTOUT WITH OFF-DUTY COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICER IN MILLENNIUM PARK

A man was wounded during a shootout with an off-duty Cook County sheriff’s officer Friday night near Millennium Park.

The 22-year-old was trying to enter the park about 7:20 p.m. in the first block of East Monroe Street but refused to be checked by a metal-detecting wand at the entry point, Chicago police said.

The man then jumped a fence to gain entry and as security approached, he pulled out his gun and fired, police said. An off-duty Cook County sheriff’s officer, working as a security guard, returned fire.

The man was shot and fled on foot. He was caught and taken into custody in the 300 block of East Riverwalk, police said, then taken to a nearby hospital. His injuries were not considered to be life-threatening. Charges were pending, according to police.