A Northwestern University police officer has been placed on administrative leave following an incident in which he allegedly celebrated the Fourth of July by  firing a gun in the air.

NU spokesman Alan Cubbage today said officer Wesley Jackson, 30, of the 5400 block of Hyde Park Boulevard in Chicago, was placed on leave while the University Police conduct an investigation into the incident.

Cubbage says Jackson has worked on both the school’s campuses in Evanston and Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune reported Friday that Chicago police arrested Jackson and he was charged with felony reckless discharge of a firearm after he allegedly fired several rounds across Lake Shore Shore Drive toward Lake Michigan near the University of Chicago campus.

Police who stopped him said Jackson told them he was drunk and “everybody” was firing guns in celebration.

Related story

NU police officer charged with firing gun during July 4 celebration (Chicago Tribune)

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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