A South Side man is facing two felony charges after Chicago police said he tried to run away from officers earlier this week in a Washington Park foot pursuit that ended with officers opening fire.
Anthony Nelson, 25 of the Douglas neighborhood, has been charged with one felony count of possession of a firearm by a repeat felon and one felony count of aggravated assault of a peace officer, according to police.
Man wounded by police in Washington Park shooting
Officers responded to the 5600 block of South Michigan Avenue around 11:50 a.m. Tuesday to stop and question Nelson, who was believed to be carrying a firearm, police said. Earlier, police conducting surveillance had observed Nelson wearing a crossover black bag that “appeared to be heavily weighted and swinging to and away,” according to a police report included in court filings.
Due to “prior knowledge and experience” that “these types and bags are utilized to transport illegal firearms,” surveilling officers put out a request for an investigatory stop, the report states.
When responding officers stopped Nelson, they asked if he had a valid firearm owner’s identification card or a concealed carry license, to which Nelson responded no and fled on foot, according to the report.
Officers chased Nelson as he fled west across Michigan Avenue, through a parking lot, then into an alley, where he “retrieved a black ‘L’ shaped object consistent with that of a firearm” from the inside of his black bag and discarded it, the report states.
An officer saw Nelson attempt to pick up the firearm from the ground, prompting the officer to give several verbal commands not to grab the weapon, but the commands were ignored, police said.
The officer then fired their weapon, striking Nelson in the abdomen and arm, police said. Officers recovered a fully loaded handgun from the scene, police reported.
Police rendered first aid to Nelson, who was then transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was initially reported to be in good condition. The officer involved was taken to an area hospital for observation, according to police.
Cook County Circuit Court records show Nelson was convicted of weapon charges in 2022.
After an initial appearance in court on Thursday, Nelson was ordered to pretrial detention, court records show. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 26.
In a brief news conference outside of the Leighton Criminal Court Building late Thursday afternoon, Shelene Foster, who identified herself as Nelson’s mother, pleaded for his release.
“Please give me my baby back,” she said. “That’s all I’m asking. Give me my baby back.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/chicago-police-shooting-charges/
