Chicago police officer identified after hospital shooting; second officer critical
A Chicago police officer fatally shot by a man in custody at a hospital has been identified as 38-year-old John Bartholomew, a 10-year veteran of the force, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Bartholomew was pronounced dead just before 1 p.m. Saturday at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital.
A second officer, a 57-year-old with 21 years on the force, remained in critical condition Sunday following the Saturday morning shooting. Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling said the officer was fighting for his life, though his name has not been released pending family notification.
The officers had brought the suspect, arrested on suspicion of robbery, to the hospital for observation. The man opened fire on the officers while under police custody, then fled the hospital before being apprehended. Police recovered a weapon at the scene, though they have not explained how the suspect obtained a firearm while in custody.
The hospital said in a Facebook post that the man in custody was brought to the emergency department and was "wanded upon arrival, following protocol" and escorted by law enforcement at all times. A surveillance photo obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times appeared to show the suspect running from the building naked with electrodes on his chest.
Snelling told reporters that police investigating the shooting had recovered three weapons total. The suspect's name has not been released by the department.
The incident raises questions about security protocols during hospital treatment for individuals in law enforcement custody. Endeavor Health's statement emphasized that the suspect was escorted at all times and screened upon arrival, suggesting existing safety measures may have failed to prevent the shooting.