INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1046240
INVESTIGATION
NUMBER:
Log # 1046240/U# 11-33
INVOLVED
MEMBER:

INVOLVED
OFFICER’S
INJURIES:

“Officer A” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/Black; 39 years old;
Off-Duty; Year of Appointment – 2003

High Blood Pressure, treated at Northwestern Hospital and
released

INVOLVED
OFFICER’S
WEAPON:

None

INVOLVED
SUBJECT:

“Subject 1”; Male/Black; 17 years old

SUBJECT
INJURIES:

Multiple Gunshot Wounds (Deceased)

INITIAL
INCIDENT:

Off-Duty Officer discharged weapon

DATE/TIME
OF INCIDENT:

17 June 2011, at approximately 2208 hours

LOCATION:

1946 W 87th Street- On the street

BEAT:

614

1

 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1046240
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On 17 June 2011, off-duty Chicago Police Officer A, was working as “[Character
Name]” the clown for a children’s party at a daycare center in the area of 1946 W. 87th
Street. At approximately 2200 hours, the party ended and Officer A, who was still in his
clown costume, walked to his vehicle, which was parked at the west end of the strip-mall
parking lot, and placed his equipment into his car. The subject, now identified as Subject
1, along with an accomplice, now identified as Subject 2, approached Officer A and
announced a robbery. Subject 1 pointed a revolver at Officer A and a struggle ensued.
Officer A gained control of the weapon and fired at Subject 1, fatally wounding him.
Subject 1 sustained gunshot wounds in the left armpit, chest and back. Chicago Fire
Department personnel transported Subject 1 to Holy Cross hospital where doctors
pronounced him dead. Chicago Fire Department personnel transported Officer A to
Northwestern Hospital for treatment for high blood pressure.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1046240
INVESTIGATION:
Detective notes, dated 17 June 2011, reflect that Witness 1 said that she exited
Kiddie Kottage with Officer A, who was still in his clown costume, and observed him
place his belongings his car. Witness 1 went and sat inside her car when she saw two
unknown black males (she did not see their faces), one wearing a white t-shirt and one
wearing a red shirt. Witness 1 back went inside of the Kiddie Kottage and a few moments
later, she heard five (5) gunshots, and someone knocking on the front door.
Witness 2 related that she was standing by the window when her daughter,
[Name], asked her to close the blinds because two unknown black males, one wearing a
white t-shirt, dark jeans, and being approximately 5’11” in height, and the other, wearing
a red shirt, looked suspicious. Witness 2 closed the blinds and then she heard five (5)
gunshots, and then heard someone knocking on the door. Witness 2 looked outside the
window and saw someone lying on the ground.
Witness 3 related that she first observed two unknown black males in the parking
lot as Officer A was gathering up his equipment. Witness 3 described the two black males
as one wearing a red shirt, jean shorts, with a dark complexion and being approximately
5’7” and 150 lbs. The second was described as wearing a white t-shirt, jean shorts, a short
haircut, a dark complexion and being approximately 5’7” and approximately 150 lbs.
Attempts by IPRA to obtain interviews from these witnesses, Witness 1, Witness
3, and Witness 2, were met with negative results.
A canvass of the area, which consists of businesses that, at the time of the
incident, were closed, or met with negative results.
On 18 June 2011, CPD Sergeant 1 responded to Area Two Detective Division
and administered the B.A.C. test to Officer A. The test began at 0409 hours, which
included a twenty-minute observation. The Breath and Urine test was conducted at 0433
hours with the B.A.C. returned a reading of .000.
The Original Case Incident Report reflects that off-duty Officer A was a victim
of an Attempted Armed Robbery with a handgun.
The Arrest Report and Supplemental Report associated with Subject 2 reflect
that Officer B, and Officer C, working BT 0651 received information regarding Subject 2
who was involved in the attempted robbery of Officer A. The officers received
information on a possible location (XXXX S. Damen) for Subject 2. The officers, armed
with Subject 2’s name and physical description, arrived at the residence and observed
Subject 2 exit from a rear door. The officers observed Subject 2 open the garage door and
yelled out to a second individual who was in the yard, “Let’s go G, we gotta go, they’re
coming for us!” The officers detained Subject 2 and his companion, and when asked his
name, Subject 2 indicated that his was “[Male Name].” Officers placed Subject 2 into
custody and transported him to Area Two for further investigation. Officer A was unable
to provide a positive identification of Subject 2 as the second subject.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1046240

A personal visit to the residence of Subject 2 in an attempt to obtain an interview
was met with negative results.
The Tactical Response Report submitted by Officer A indicates that the subject,
Subject 1, attacked off-duty Officer A with a handgun. Officer A was able to gain control
of the weapon and shot and killed Subject 1.
Officers on the scene recovered a Taurus .38-Special six (6) shot revolver,
containing two (2) rounds. Officers placed the weapon in a towel prior to it being turned
over to the Forensic Services Division of the Chicago Police Department.
A Crime Scene Report indicates that Forensic Investigators recovered and
inventoried a Taurus revolver wrapped in a white towel with a Red Bally Fitness logo.
Forensic Investigators swabbed the revolver for DNA evidence, administered a Gunshot
Residue test to the hands of the subject, Subject 1, at the scene, and bagged his hands. 1
Evidence Technician photographs depict images of the deceased, Subject 1, the
location of incident, the revolver associated with Subject 1 and the vehicle associated
with Officer A.
Illinois State Police Lab report dated 26 July 2011, reflects that the revolver and
both discharged and live cartridges revealed no latent prints suitable for comparison.
Illinois State Police Lab report, dated 11 April 2012, documents that Subject 1
discharged a firearm, contacted a PGSR related item, or had his right hand in the
environment of a discharged firearm.
An OEMC Query documents that several persons contacted 911 to report
hearing shots fired in the area. A female caller reported that she heard gunshots outside of
a daycare in the area and observed an unknown male on the ground.
Officer A contacted 911, identified himself as a Chicago Police Officer, and said
that the subject attempted to rob him. Officer A related that he shot the subject, provided
an address and requested EMS to the scene. Officer A related that there was a second
subject it the area, who fled the scene. Officer A provided a description and direction of
flight. Officer A related that he was not injured, but “shaken up.”
A female caller (who refused to provide a name or identifiers) reported that she
was sitting at a stop light in the area of 87th Street and Damen Avenue when she observed
two men tussling over an unknown object and observed one of the men pull a gun out and
fire three times. The shooter was described as a black male with a dark complexion,
wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and occupying a two-door Grand Prix.

1

Placed plastic baggies over hands to preserve any gunpowder evidence that may be present.

4

 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1046240
A flash message went out over the air requesting a 10-1 2 at 1946 W 87th Street.
The call informed officers that an off-duty officer was the victim of a robbery and he shot
the subject. 006th District Station officers and Chicago Fire Department personnel
responded to the area.
Attempts to obtain an interview with [Female Caller], whose name was obtained
from the OEMC printout, were met with negative results.
A Chicago Fire Department (EMS) report, dated 17 June 2011, documents that
Officer A reported that he injured his right hand as he tried to remove the subject’s
weapon. Officer A also related that his blood pressure was high. CFD personnel
transported Officer A to Northwestern Hospital.
A Chicago Fire Department (EMS) report, dated 17 June 2011, documents that
Subject 1; was lying on the sidewalk. Subject 1 appeared to have numerous gunshot
wounds to his abdomen, back and chest and was unresponsive. CFD personnel
transported Subject 1 to Holy Cross hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A Postmortem Report of Subject 1, completed and submitted by the medical
Examinier of Cook County, dated 18 June 2011, documents wound one (1) grazed
gunshot wound on the posterior medial left upper arm. A second gunshot (2) wound is to
the left region of the chest from left to right. A third gunshot (3) wound is to the right
upper quadrant of the abdomen from front to back. A fourth gunshot (4) wound is to the
left lumbar back from back to front. Subject 1 also sustained superficial abrasions to both
knees, the left upper back and left ankle. The Toxicological report documents that
Subject 1 tested negative for narcotics.
The Medical Examiner’s photographs depict images of the wounds and injuries
sustained by Subject 1; the clothing worn by Subject 1; and bullet fragments removed
from Subject 1’s body.
In an interview taken at the Independent Police Review Authority on 24
November 2011, at 1550 hours, Officer A said that on 17 June 2011, at approximately
1930 hours, he was off-duty and performing as [Character Name] the Clown at a sleep
over at Kiddie Kottage Day Care.
The performance ended between 2200-2230 hours and Officer A left the building
and began loading his equipment into his vehicle. As he loaded his equipment, two
unknown black males, 3 approximately 30 to 40 feet from him, walked past and asked
Officer A if he had change for undisclosed amount U.S. currency. Officer A responded,
“No.”

2
3

Officer needs assistance
One of the black males now known as Subject 1

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1046240
Subject 1 and his companion walked away and made a right turn onto 87th Street
and Damen Avenue. Officer A loaded his vehicle, closed the trunk and took out his
mobile telephone to get it hands-free ready. Officer A then entered the driver’s seat of his
vehicle with the driver’s side door open when he observed the subject, Subject 1,
approach the vehicle with a blue steel revolver.
Subject 1 stated, “Up everything that you have.” 4 Something distracted Subject 1
and he looked over his left shoulder. Officer A then reached out, took hold of the gun
with both hands, and pushed Subject 1, who still held onto the weapon. Officer A pushed
Subject 1 against a wall adjacent to Kiddie Kottage and the two continued to tussle back
and forth. As the two tussled, Officer A announced his office and instructed Subject 1 to
release the weapon; however, Subject 1 did not release his hold on the weapon. Officer A
was able to throw Subject 1 off balance and take the weapon. Subject 1 advanced quickly
toward Officer A. 5 Officer A, being in fear for his safety, pulled the trigger. Officer A
related that he believed that he fired approximately three times, but it may have been as
many as four to five times. Officer A fired until the weapon stopped.
Officer A said that he did not recall at what point Subject 1 fell to the ground, but
after firing the weapon he put the gun down on the trunk of his vehicle and called 911.
Officer A identified himself as a police officer and requested officers on the scene for
assistance. Officer A informed the 911 operator that he was the victim of an attempted
robbery and that he shot the subject with the subject’s weapon. Officer A observed the
second black male about 50-100 feet from him. The second black male appeared to be
walking toward him, but then he ran through an alley. Officer A did not give chase.
Officer A related that during his first encounter with Subject 1 and his companion,
they did not make any type of physical gestures or verbal threats toward him.
Officer A related that he did not have his duty weapon on his person at the time of
the incident.

4
5

Att # 27 Page 10, Line 9.
Subject 1 was approximately 0-5 feet from Officer A as Officer A fired

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1046240
CONCLUSION:
This investigation found that the use of deadly force by Officer A was in
compliance with Chicago Police Department policy. According to the Chicago Police
Department’s General Order 02-08-03, Section II, A
A sworn member is justified in using deadly force likely to cause death or great
bodily harm only when he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary:
1.

to prevent death or great bodily harm to the sworn member or to
another person, or:

2.

to prevent an arrest from being defeated by resistance or escape
and the sworn member reasonably believes that the person to be
arrested:
a.

has committed or has attempted to commit a forcible felony
which involves the infliction, threatened infliction, or
threatened use of physical force likely to cause death or
great bodily harm or;

b.

is attempting to escape by use of a deadly weapon or;

c.

otherwise indicates that he or she will endanger human life
or inflict great bodily harm unless arrested without delay.

Officer A was working off-duty when the subject, Subject 1, approached him and
attempted to rob him at gunpoint. Officer A grabbed the weapon and the two began to
struggle. During the struggle for the weapon, Officer A announced his office and gained
control of the weapon. Subject 1 then advanced toward Officer A, in a threatening
manner. Officer A, in fear for his safety, fired at Subject 1, striking him several times.
Forensic evidence reflects that Subject 1 had contact with a firearm, and/or was in
contact with a discharged firearm.
Officer A’s actions complied with the Chicago Police Department policy on Use
of Force. Subject 1 attempted to commit a forcible felony (armed robbery), and
threatened the use of physical force likely to cause death or great bodily harm.

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