A detainee who fled police supervision in Mississippi is reportedly holed up in a restaurant in Chicago, situated near the Democratic National Convention venue, according to law enforcement officials.
"Still unfolding," stated Chief Deputy Justin Smith from the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi during a press conference on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old fugitive, Joshua Zimmerman, is currently in the restaurant with no civilians in danger, Smith mentioned.
Zimmerman managed to flee from the courthouse located in northwest Mississippi, which is approximately 25 miles south of Memphis, on June 14. However, it's unclear as to how he ended up in Chicago, disclosed Smith.
Wanted for murder, escape, and armed robbery, as per the US Marshals Service, Zimmerman is the person in question.
The sheriff's office was informed by Marshals on Tuesday that Zimmerman was spotted at a restaurant and had barricaded himself within the building, Smith added.
A clip from CNN affiliate WBBM shows the Chicago Police Department's SWAT team at the scene.
CNN has reached out to the Marshals Service for a comment.
The sheriff’s office hopes to capture Zimmerman and transport him back to Mississippi to facilitate an interrogation regarding his escape, Smith stated.
The sheriff's office is actively working to apprehend Zimmerman and bring him back to Mississippi, as we are collaborating with the US Marshals Service in this operation.
Despite Zimmerman currently being in Chicago, our primary focus remains on ensuring his safe return to our jurisdiction, which is ultimately for the benefit of us all.
