'Things could have gone much worse': Former student is shot by officer during gunfire exchange at Dixon High School

Officials say a police officer working at Dixon High School shot and wounded a former student who fired a gun at him.

The shooting incident began near the school’s west gymnasium about 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to officials speaking at a late-morning news conference.

Earlier in the day, City Manager Danny Langloss said students were gathered at the gym for graduation practice.

Dixon Police Chief Steven Howell said the suspect, a 19-year-old former student, “fired several shots near the west gym.”

The school resource officer confronted the suspect, who then fled from the school with the officer in pursuit, Howell said. During the pursuit, the suspect fired several shots at the officer but did not strike him.

The officer returned fire and struck the suspect, who was then taken into custody just west of the school, Howell said. He was brought to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was injured.

An earlier account said the gunfire exchange took place in the gym.

Sauk Valley Media said the sheriff identified the officer as school resource officer Mark Dallas.