Chicago homicide suspect slain in shootout with Evanston police

A suspect in at least one Chicago homicide who shot a woman in the neck at an Evanston pancake restaurant was killed during a shootout with Evanston police on Saturday, police said.

The Evanston police shooting happened near Howard Street and Western Avenue early Saturday evening.

The man, who was not identified, was killed during a shootout with Evanston police, Evanston police Chief Demitrous Cook told reporters.

“There was an exchange of gunfire. I’m not sure who fired first,” Cook said, adding itwas in response to the violence the suspect “perpetrated” in Evanston.

About 5:35 p.m., Evanston police responded to a call of shots fired in the CVS Pharmacy, at 101 Asbury Ave., Cook said. They found that shots had been fired inside but no one was hit.

The shooting suspect then ran across the street into an IHOP, at 100 Asbury Ave., where police believe he took a woman hostage then shot her in the neck, Cook said. The woman was taken to Amita Health Saint Francis Hospital in critical condition.

He left the IHOP and ran eastbound to the Dollar General parking lot, where he exchanged gunfire with Evanston police officers, who shot and killed him, Cook said.

No officers were injured. Officers were wearing body-worn cameras during the shooting.

The man killed in the Evanston shooting was wanted for at least one Chicago homicide, and Cook said he believes the man was involved in “some incidents” in the South Side of Chicago earlier inthe day, but Cook said he was not sure which incidents.

The suspect may be an Evanston resident, Cook said. His identification is pending the notification of his death to his family.

“These police officers come out here and put their lives on the line every day,’’ said Cook, praising the Evanston officers involved.