5 officers struck by car after ‘teen takeover’ hits Chicago’s West Side — as 19 peopkle hurt in shootings

At least five officers were struck by a driver during a “teen takeover” event early Sunday in Chicago’s West Side, only the latest in the viral trend hitting American streets.

Elsewhere, 19 people were shot and wounded on Memorial Day in the Windy City.

Hundreds of teenagers gathered at around 3:20 a.m. along Chicago’s South Loomis Street, shutting the street down as officers responded to disperse the chaos.

As officers tried to end the takeover, an 18-year-old driver hit five cops before driving over the curb and crashing into a CPD squad car, a pole, and a fence, local ABC 7 reported.

The teen driver, who was not publicly named, was not injured and taken into custody, with charges pending. Police also found a gun inside the teen’s car.

The officers who were hit by the car were all transported to local hospitals and are in good condition, police officials said.

Along with the street takeover on South Loomis Street, Chicago police reported another incident just 30 minutes away on West Roosevelt Road where a 19-year-old was shot.

Police did not say if the shooting was related to the large gathering where the five officers were hit.

The so-called teen takeovers have started to ramp up during the Memorial Day weekend, with the viral events seeing police respond to fights, robberies and gunfire from massive crowds of minors descending on public spaces.

The takeovers have taken place all over the nation, including one incident earlier this month that saw scores of juveniles taking part in an all-out brawl at a Chipotle in Washington, DC.

The chaotic events are often filmed and shared across social media, with the teens acting with impunity as they terrorize public spaces and even attack police vehicles.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling called on parents last week to step up and keep their children from participating in the teen takeovers, which will likely get larger as summer vacation approaches.

“You know, it’s not parent-shaming to say that you should know where your children are at 10, 11, 12 o’clock at night, when you have a 12-year-old or a 13-year-old,” he said during a Thursday event in the city.

“They’re vulnerable, you know, when they go into these environments; they can be harmed, and they can be killed, and that has happened,” Snelling added.