CHICAGO _ A Chicago police officer and multiple other people, including an apparent shooter, were wounded Monday afternoon in an "active shooter" attack at Mercy Hospital on the city's Near South Side, authorities said.
The officer was critically injured in the shooting attack at and near the hospital, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., about 3:20 p.m. CST, a police spokesman said.
"He is in critical condition but receiving excellent care," police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. "Please send your prayers."
There were "reports of multiple victims" in the attack, Guglielmi said in a tweet. Fewer than six people were believed shot, according to an official.
"Officers are doing a methodical search ... At least one possible offender is shot," Guglielmi said.
Fire officials called an emergency medical services Plan III, sending at least 15 ambulances to the scene, because of an "active shooter" situation, a Fire Department spokesman said.
A hospital employee said she was in her office when a notice came over a public address system telling those in the hospital to lock their doors. They were later evacuated and people were put on Chicago Transit Authority buses as authorities dealt with the situation.
"I don't know what happened," she said as she was ushered onto a bus.
"They told us to run so we did," one hospital employee said.
Authorities were warning people to stay out of the area. Fire crews were at the scene.
