Person shot by police in Lawndale

Chicago Police investigate the scene of an officer involved shooting, Saturday night, in the 1100 block of South Whipple.

Police were following the male into an alley off the 1100 block of South Whipple when they were involved in an exchange of gunfire.

A person was shot by Chicago police Saturday night in Lawndale.

About 10:10 p.m., officers were investigating a large group of people in the 1100 block of South Whipple when they saw a man “drinking from a bottle of beer” in a vacant lot, according to Deputy Chief Al Nagode.

“The officers are doing what we’re asking them to do — make sure if there are any parties or large crowds they get out and investigate,” Nagode said.

Officers recovered a weapon during their investigation.

When the male saw the officers, he threw the bottle to the ground and ran east through the lot into an alley, Nagode said. As the officers followed, the male turned and fired a single shot in their direction.

The officers returned fire, striking the male in the “left rear,” Nagode said. A weapon was recovered.

The male was taken to a hospital, where he is in critical but stable condition, police and a fire department spokesman said.

At least one officer was also taken to a hospital for “anxiety related to the shooting,” according to Nagode.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability will conduct an investigation into the use of force and the involved officers will be placed on 30-day paid administrative leave, per department policy.