An 18-year-old man from the suburbs faces charges for allegedly attempting to kill five Chicago police officers by hitting them with a vehicle. This incident occurred while police were working to disperse a large crowd on the Near West Side early Sunday morning.
Rashad Johnson is scheduled for a detention hearing on Tuesday, according to Chicago police, where further details regarding the allegations are expected to emerge. Additionally, he is facing charges for possessing a firearm.
Police presence in the Washburne and Throop area began Saturday night to manage a sizable block party that expanded over several hours. Justin Peters, the head of Chitown Crime Chasers, estimated that around 500 people participated.
At about 2:51 a.m., the deputy chief communicated to dispatchers that westbound Roosevelt Road was reopening, according to police radio communications. Witnesses reported that roughly three minutes later, a vehicle traveling west on Roosevelt collided with a group of people at Loomis Street.
“My violence prevention team was assisting in moving the crowd back when suddenly a car appeared and drove through the entire crowd,” Peters shared in a Facebook video. “Several police officers are now on the ground.”
Peters recounted seeing five officers “in the air” as the car hit them. CPD noted that 13 individuals have been charged with offenses related to this incident.
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