CHICAGO (WGN) — A Chicago police officer was killed and another was injured after gunfire erupted during a call on the city’s South Side Thursday night.

Authorities say the deadly shooting unfolded as officers pursued a suspect who allegedly fled from a nearby investigatory stop.

During a press conference held early Friday morning, CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed that an officer was shot and killed during a call near East 82nd Street and South Drexel Avenue.

Following the shooting, the officer was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead.

Snelling said it all started around 9:50 p.m. after officers attempted to conduct an investigatory stop in the Chatham neighborhood, but the subject of the stop allegedly fled on foot.

The officers then pursued the person into a nearby apartment.

According to Snelling, when the officers entered the apartment, they were confronted by a second individual who was armed with a rifle and pointed it at the officers.

Officers opened fire on the individual, but one of the officers was struck amid the gunfire.

“At some point, the officer discharged their weapon,” Snelling said. “Our officer was struck.”

CPD officers on the scene then took her in a police cruiser to a local hospital, but on the way there, Snelling said the first cruiser had a malfunction and the female officer was moved to another police cruiser.

When the injured officer finally arrived at the hospital, she was pronounced dead.

It is unclear what caused the cruiser to malfunction.

Snelling said two individuals in the apartment fled after the shooting but were later apprehended by assisting units. He also said several persons of interest were taken into custody, including someone who they believe was on the scene when the armed individual confronted the officers.

A second officer involved in the incident suffered an injury to their wrist and was taken to the hospital in fair condition.

CPD later recovered three weapons from the scene.

“Young, vibrant and a hard worker”

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the fallen officer as 36-year-old Krystal Rivera.

“Our officer was young, vibrant and a hard worker,” Snelling said. “Prior to going out and attempting to make that stop, she had already processed two other guns working that day.

According to Snelling, Rivera was a mother with a daughter and had been serving on the force for four years.

“She was a working police officer trying to keep the streets safe and she did great work and if you talk to anyone on her team, they would tell you how great of a worker she was,” Snelling said.

Snelling described her as someone who was known among her peers for her work ethic.

“I want everyone to keep this officer’s family in your prayers and understand the risk she took every day when she came out to do her job,” Snelling said. “With no regard and understanding that it’s always possible when you’re doing this type of work that you may not return home.”

Following Friday’s early-morning press conference, firefighters and police officers lined up to pay their respects as a procession carried the fallen officer’s remains.

‘We mourn the tragic loss’

Officials from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Chicago Fire Department issued statements regarding the shooting on Friday morning.

“We mourn the tragic loss of Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Rivera’s loved ones and her colleagues at the Chicago Police Department,” a spokesperson for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post on Friday morning.

“The Chicago Fire Department grieves alongside our brothers and sisters at CPD for the loss of officer Krystal Rivera who died in the line of duty Thursday evening. Please keep her family and CPD in your thoughts and prayers,” a spokesperson for the Chicago Fire Department said in a post on X.

An investigation into the deadly shooting is now underway by Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), as well as CPD’s Investigative Response Team.

Those with information on the shooting can contact COPA on their website or by calling 312-746-3609.

CPD’s full press conference, featuring Supt. Larry Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson, can be viewed in the video above.