Boy detained after shooting at cops during SWAT standoff

A 10-year-old Chicago boy in “mental distress” got a hold of an unsecured gun inside his home and shot at police officers during a SWAT standoff, according to officials.

The pint-sized gunman was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation after the incident Monday in the Windy City’s Beverly neighborhood.

Cops responded to a home in the 9800 block of South Charles Street around 11:20 a.m. for a call about a child in distress, reported ABC 7 Chicago.

When officers approached the house, they found the boy standing on the porch and pointing a gun at them, police said during an afternoon press conference.

Cops fired non-lethal projectiles at the house, leading the boy to retreat inside, where he allegedly fired four rounds, according to CBS Chicago.


Heavily armed Chicago SWAT officers are seen at the scene of a shooting involving a 10-year-old gunman Monday.
Heavily armed Chicago SWAT officers are seen at the scene of a shooting involving a 10-year-old gunman Monday.
WLS-TV

Chicago police work the scene of a stand off between Chicago Police's SWAT and a armed 10-year-old boy Monday, July 24, 2023 in Chicago
Police were called to a home in the Beverly section for a report of a child in mental distress.
AP

The youngster later went back outside and allegedly fired one shot at the officers.

The child also reportedly pointed the loaded firearm at himself several times during the tense standoff.

Because of the shooter’s young age and apparently fragile mental state, officers deployed bean bag rounds and pepper spray to subdue him, police said.


A Chicago cop enters a home on South Charles Street following a standoff with a child Monday.
The 10-year-old allegedly got a hold of an unsecured gun and fired multiple shots, including one at police officers, during a standoff.
AP

Police seen at the scene of a standoff in Chicago
The young gunman allegedly pointed the firearm at himself before cops used bean bags and pepper spray to subdue him.
AP

“He’s a child, so that’s what’s in our mind when we have discussions of what’s the next step, so definitely his age and the distress he’s in, very important for any incident but this one in particular because it was very delicate,” Chicago Police Deputy Chief Migdalia Bulnes said.

No officers were injured during the incident, which caused the neighborhood to be placed on a lockdown.

The gun fired during the standoff was legally owned by someone living at the home but it was left unsecured, according to Chicago Alderman Matt O’Shea.


An ambulance is seen at the scene of the Chicago standoff.
The 10-year-old was unharmed but was taken to a hospital for evaluation in good condition.
WLS-TV

“We have what I would describe as a happy ending, but people just need to be more careful when you’re going to have weapons in homes,” said O’Shea.

Cops are now investigating how the 10-year-old was able to access the gun. It was not immediately known whether charges would be filed.