Authorities have released the identity of a Chicago police officer who died after being shot by a suspect under guard at a local hospital. Officer John Bartholomew, age 38, lost his life in the Saturday morning incident at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital.
The 10-year department veteran was declared dead shortly before 1 p.m. on Saturday, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed.
A fellow officer, age 57 with more than two decades of service, also sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and continues to battle for his life in critical condition as of Sunday, according to police reports.
Police Superintendent Larry Snelling addressed the media Saturday, stating the injured officer was “fighting for his life.” Neither the wounded officer’s identity nor the shooter’s name have been made public.
The two officers had escorted the gunman to the medical facility for treatment after his arrest on robbery charges. Following the shooting, the suspect escaped the hospital grounds but was apprehended later, with investigators recovering a firearm, department officials reported. Authorities have not explained how the man obtained the weapon.
Media reports included surveillance images showing the fleeing suspect without clothing and wearing medical monitoring equipment.
Hospital administrators posted on Facebook that the individual arrived under law enforcement escort for emergency care and underwent security screening with a metal detector wand, which is standard procedure. They confirmed the suspect remained under constant police supervision during his visit.
The facility’s statement noted that the man subsequently opened fire on the law enforcement officers before fleeing the building.
Superintendent Snelling revealed that investigators have collected three firearms as evidence in the case.
