Plainfield Teen Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Five Chicago Police Officers Struck by Car

An 18-year-old Plainfield resident faces first-degree attempted murder charges after allegedly striking five Chicago police officers with a vehicle early Sunday morning on the city's Near West Side. Chicago police confirmed on Monday that Rashad Johnson has also been charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and criminal damage to government property.

The incident occurred around 3:20 a.m. in the 1200 block of South Loomis Street, near Roosevelt Road. According to police, officers were working to disperse a large crowd at an after-prom gathering near the Brooks Homes when Johnson, driving a blue car westbound in an eastbound lane, struck the officers and drove over a curb. The vehicle then hit a Chicago Police Department squad car, a pole, and a fence before coming to a stop.

Officers arrested Johnson at the scene, where police reported finding a gun inside his vehicle. While authorities have not confirmed whether Johnson was associated with the gathering, Alderman Jason Ervin noted that the event was an after-prom party that had grown out of hand, rather than a typical "teen takeover" event.

All five injured officers were transported to local hospitals with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. As of Sunday afternoon, three of the officers remained hospitalized.