INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
INVESTIGATION
NUMBER:
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
INVOLVED
OFFICER:

OFFICER’S
INJURIES:
INJURED
OFFICER:

OFFICER’S
INJURIES:
WITNESS
OFFICER:

“Officer A” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/White; 36 years old;
On- Duty; Full Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2005
None Reported

“Officer B” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/Black; 35 years old;
On- Duty; In Plainclothes; Year of Appointment – 2006
Bullet fragments lodged in right leg above the knee

“Officer A” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/Hispanic; 30 years old;
On- Duty; Full Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2007

OFFICER’S
INJURIES:

None Reported

DATE & TIME:

05 August 2012, 1530 hours

LOCATION:

XXXX W. Division Street, Chicago, IL 60651

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
SUMMARY:
On 05 August 2012, at approximately 1530 hours, officers from the Area North Gangs
Team executed a search warrant on the second floor apartment located at XXXX West
Division Street. Officer A, was part of the warrant execution team, assigned to monitor
the rear perimeter of the location. Officer A was working with partner Officer C, in Beat
2531, and met Officer B, at the rear of the property. After securing the target of the
warrant inside and recovering evidence, officers inside asked a female resident to secure
pit bull dogs that were located in the rear porch area of the apartment. As the female
resident took the dogs out of the apartment, she lost control of one of them. The pit bull
proceeded down the stairs and into the backyard and began running towards the three
officers at the rear of the property.
The dog first charged towards Officer C and then turned its attention towards Officer A.
Officer A retreated a few steps between a parked vehicle and a wrought iron fence.
Officer A then fired one round at the charging pit bull, striking it in its face and neck
area. The dog was approximately five feet from Officer A when he fired. The bullet
subsequently exited the pit bull and fragments ricocheted off the ground. Officer B was
retreating backwards away from the dog towards the alley when pieces of shrapnel struck
Officer B in the right leg, just above his knee. Officer B was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital
for treatment of his injuries and was in good condition. No other individuals were injured
during the search warrant. Several firearms were recovered during the execution of the
search warrant and the target was arrested. It was reported that the dogs were being kept
in deplorable conditions and it appeared that the dogs were being bred to fight.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
INVESTIGATION:
The Departmental Reports, documented under HV416883, reported that [Subject 1]
was arrested for numerous violations, including Unlawful Possession of Handguns,
Unlawful Possession of Rifles, and Animal Cruelty at the location of XXXX W. Division
Street, Apt XX, Chicago, IL 60651. [Subject 1] was the subject of a search warrant by
the Citywide Gang Enforcement Team. Numerous firearms were located inside [Subject
1]’s apartment. [Subject 1] related to the officers on scene that he had “vicious dogs”
that were trained to fight. The officers located the dogs in an enclosed porch that was
covered in dog feces and urine. The officers also observed a treadmill in the enclosed
porch with paw prints and dog hair on it. [Subject 1] was transported to the 025th District
for processing.
An additional Original Case Report, HV416986, was completed for a Non-criminal,
Injury to a City Employee at the address of XXXX W. Division Street, Chicago, IL
60651. The report documented that Officer B, Officer A, and Officer C, where in the
process of conducting a search warrant at the location when a violent pit bull came from
the rear porch and began to charge the officers in the backyard. Officer A, in fear for his
safety and the safety of the other officers, discharged his firearm, which struck the dog in
the face. Two bullet fragments then struck Officer B in the right leg, just above his knee.
Officer B was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was treated and released by
Doctor A.
A Tactical Response Report completed by Officer A, documented that while securing
the scene of a search warrant, a pit bull approached in an attacking manner, causing
Officer A to discharge his firearm 1 , striking the pit bull in the head. The bullet then
fragmented and inadvertently struck Officer B in the right leg.
The Chicago Fire Department Ambulance Report documented that Ambulance 15
responded to the location of XXXX W. Division Street for a gun shot victim and arrived
at 1538 hours. CFD personnel located Officer B walking on scene. The report
documented that Officer B had an entrance wound above his right knee and no obvious
exit wound. It was documented that Officer B had good motion and sensation in his right
ankle and Officer B reported no further injuries. Officer B was transported to Mount
Sinai Hospital for further treatment.
A Canvass was conducted on 05 August 2012 by IPRA Investigator A and Investigator
IPRA Investigator B. The canvass failed to identify any witnesses to the incident.
A Search Warrant (12SW6800) was obtained by the Citywide Gang Enforcement Team
for [Subject 1] and the premises of XXXX W. Division Street, 2nd Floor, to seize any

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Officer A discharged one round from his firearm. In a statement to IPRA, Officer A related that there was
confusion between command staff as to whether he was supposed to complete a Tactical Response Report
or not. Officer A indicated the report was completed, even though there was no use of force against a
person.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
firearm and documents providing proof of residency. The warrant documented that it
was executed on 05 August 2012 at 1530 hours.
A Crime Scene Processing Report documented items inventoried and photographs
obtained by Evidence Technician A. The narrative portion of the report documented in
essence the same information that was contained in the Original Case Report #
HV416986. Evidence Technician A documented that he recovered one Winchester, 9mm
Lugar +P cartridge case in the rear yard, near the fence. Evidence Technician A also
recovered Officer A’s, Ruger, Model 19, 9mm pistol, Serial #NAM744, at the 025th
District, in the presence of CPD Deputy Chief A. Further, Evidence Technician A
collected and inventoried Officer B’s pants at the 025th District.
Inventory Sheets documented several firearms, firearm magazines and ammunition that
were recovered from inside XXXX W. Division Street, 2nd Floor. Among the firearms
that were recovered were, a .9mm Sub Machine Gun with a fifty round drum magazine, a
Kel-Tec .40 caliber Sub 2000 and several pistols and rifles. A single .9mm Lugar shell
casing was recovered from the backyard of the residence next to evidence marker #1.
Evidence Technician Photographs documented pictures of the scene where the incident
occurred. The photographs depicted one shell casing in a grassy area near a black
wrought iron fence. Further, the photographs depicted a white dog with an open wound
to the left side of its face.
There were no Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory Reports found for
this incident.
There was no In-Car Video obtained relevant to this incident.
A search of Police Observation Devices (PODS) in the area of the incident found POD
#005, which is located at 1201 N. Central Avenue. A review of the POD for 05 August
2012 between the hours of 1459 – 1630 hours failed to document the incident under
investigation. At 1533, hours the Reporting Investigator (R/I) observed a marked
Chicago Police Tahoe with its emergency lights illuminated pass by the camera. Normal
foot and vehicular traffic was observed throughout the remainder of the footage.
The related OEMC Event Queries documented that, on 05 August 2012, there were
shots fired by the police at a dog. The Queries document that Officer A, Beat 2531, was
the officer who discharged his firearm. The Queries further document that Officer B
#8964 was shot in the knee during the incident.
A Bureau of Internal Affairs Synoptic Report documented that Officer A, submitted to a
drug and alcohol test after the incident occurred. Officer A’s blood alcohol level was
.000 % and his drug test was negative.
The Detectives Supplementary Report documented that a report was taken for a noncriminal offense, accidental injury to a city employee. The report documented the

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
interviews conducted in reference to the destruction of the dog. It appears the case was
closed non-criminal.
A witness, Witness 1, failed to cooperate with this investigation. Witness 1 related on
scene that she wanted to make a complaint that her dog was shot without justification.
Witness 1 indicated that she wanted to speak to her lawyer prior to providing a statement
to IPRA. Witness 1 failed show up for multiple scheduled interviews.
In an audio recorded statement to IPRA, a witness, Witness 2, related that on the date of
the incident she arrived back at her residence at XXXX West Division Street and
observed police officers at her front door. Witness 2 spoke to one of the officers who
related that they had a search warrant signed by a judge. Witness 2 related to the officer
that she had dogs inside that would “charge” them if they went inside. Witness 2 asked
the officer if she could go inside to secure the dogs and the officer refused to let her in.
Witness 2 indicated that the officer told her niece, Witness 3 that she could enter the
residence to secure the dogs. Witness 2 stated that she walked around to the back of the
residence as Witness 3 entered the residence to secure the dogs. Witness 2 stated that
one of the dogs ran out the back door and down the steps. Witness 2 stated, “Get back,
get back, cause I could see [Dog] 2 runnin’ towards the police.” Witness 2 indicated that
one of the officers in full uniform took out his gun and shot the dog one time. Witness 2
stated that after the dog ran at the officer and was shot, the dog turned and ran back up
the stairs and entered the residence. Witness 2 related that the officers refused to let her
in the backyard until the Animal Control Officer arrived on scene and took control of the
dog. Witness 2 observed a large wound to the face of the dog.
In an audio recorded statement to IPRA, a witness, Witness 3, related that, on the date of
the incident, she arrived at the front of XXXX West Division Street with her mother,
[Witness 3’s Mother], and her aunt, Witness 2. Witness 3 stated that she observed police
officers in front of the residence. Witness 3 heard her aunt ask the police officers if they
had a warrant and the officer related that he would show it to her after the search was
finished. Witness 3 related that Witness 2 attempted to go inside the residence and one of
the officers refused to let her in. The officer asked Witness 2 if there were any animals
inside the residence and she related that there were three pit bulls. Witness 3 was asked
by the officer if she could control the dogs if they let her inside. Witness 3 told the
officers that she could. Witness 3 stated that she attempted to gain control of one of the
pit bulls named [Dog], however the dog did not have a collar and ran from her. Witness
3 indicated that [Dog] ran down the back steps and towards a police officer. Witness 3
stated that one of the police officers then shot their gun at [Dog]. Witness 3 did not
observe the officer discharge their firearm. Witness 3 related that [Dog] then ran back up
the stairs to her location. Witness 3 indicated that [Dog] arrived at the top of the stairs
and then laid down. Witness 3 was able to place a collar on [Dog] at that point. Witness
3 stated that [Dog] remained laying down until the Animal Control Officer arrived and
took her.

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[Dog] is the name of the Pit bull dog that was shot by Officer A.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
In an audio recorded statement to IPRA, a witness, Witness 4, related that, on the date of
the incident, she was on the back porch of her residence located at XXXX West Division
Street. Witness 4 observed the police and some other individuals in the backyard at
XXXX West Division Street. Witness 4 stated that she heard the police tell a younger
female, now known to be Witness 3, to get the dog that was in the enclosed back porch so
the police could search the residence. Witness 4 indicated that Witness 3 grabbed the
dog; however, the dog got loose and ran outside and into the backyard. Witness 4 related
that she then heard one gun shot. Witness 4 ran back inside her residence. Witness 4
walked back outside minutes later and observed the dog bleeding. Witness 4 stated that
she did not observe the actual shooting of the dog.
In an audio recorded statement to IPRA, Witness Officer C, related that, on the date of
the incident, he was working in a marked Chicago Police Tahoe, in full uniform, in Beat
2531, with his partner, Officer A. Officer C stated that they were assigned to assist in an
execution of a search warrant at XXXX West Division Street. Officer C indicated that he
and Officer A were instructed to secure the rear of the property with Officer B. Officer C
stated that they were at the location for approximately ten minutes when he heard a door
slam and then saw a dog coming down the stairs. Officer C stated that the dog was
running full speed and growling. Officer C related that the dog ran in his direction, at
which time he drew his weapon. Officer C briefly lost sight of the dog and was unable to
discharge his firearm at the dog. Officer C indicated that the dog, a pit bull, then veered
away from him and ran towards Officer A. Officer C stated that Officer A discharged his
firearm one time at the pit bull. The pit bull then ran back towards the residence and up
the steps. Officer C related that Officer B then stated he was hit. Officer C stated that
Officer A called over the radio that there were shots fired by the police at a dog. Officer
C related that once they knew Officer B was hit, Officer A called for an ambulance.
Officer C believed that Officer A had no other options when he discharged his firearm, to
stop the threat of the dog.
In an audio recorded statement to IPRA, Witness Officer B, related that, on the date of
the incident, he was working in plain clothes, in Beat 6762C, with his partner, Officer D.
Officer B indicated that they are a part of the citywide gang team and were executing a
search warrant at XXXX West Division Street. The team had information that there were
numerous firearms at the location of the search warrant. Officer B stated that he was
responsible for securing the rear of the residence as the search warrant was executed.
Officer B indicated that he was joined in the rear of the residence by two 025th District
uniformed officers. Officer B recalled that one of the officers was Officer A.
Officer B related that shortly after the team made entry into the front of the residence, he
observed a pit bull dog charge out of the 2nd floor, proceed down the stairs and run in his
direction. Officer B stated that the dog then turned towards Officer A and ran in his
direction. Officer B related when the dog ran towards Officer A, he noticed Officer A
had his firearm out. Officer B indicated that the dog was in very close proximity to
Officer A when he discharged his firearm at the dog. Officer B stated that he was
approximately fifteen feet from Officer A when Officer A discharged his firearm.
Officer B related that after Officer A discharged his firearm, Officer B felt pain in his leg

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
and observed the dog run back towards the residence. Officer B later learned that bullet
fragments hit him just above his right knee. Officer B was transported by ambulance to
Mount Sinai Hospital and was out of work for approximately one month. Officer B
indicated that the fragments are still lodged near his knee and the doctor was unable to
remove them. Officer B related that the dog was moving at such a fast speed towards
Officer A, that Officer A had no other choice when he discharged his firearm.
In an audio recorded statement to IPRA, Involved Officer A, related that, on the date of
the incident, he was working in marked Chicago Police Tahoe, in full uniform, in Beat
2531, with his partner, Officer C. Officer A stated that they received an OEMC radio call
to assist a citywide gun team with a search warrant. Officer A indicated that he and
Officer C arrived in the alley at the rear of the residence where the search warrant was
being executed and met Officer B. Officer A related that there was a subject that was
detained near the alley when they arrived.
Officer A stated that they were at the location for approximately ten minutes when he
heard a “commotion” coming from inside the residence. Officer A indicated that seconds
later, the back door to the residence flung open and two pit bull dogs ran out. Officer A
stated that a brown pit bull dog remained at the top the stairs and a white pit bull dog ran
down the stairs towards the backyard. Officer A related that the dog initially ran towards
Officer C and then ran in his direction. Officer A stated that he back peddled around a
car that was parked in the backyard. Officer A indicated that the dog came around the
vehicle and was approximately five feet from him when he discharged his firearm at the
dog. Officer A related that he shot the dog in the face and the dog fell over. The dog
then stood, ran back up the stairs at the rear of the residence and ran back inside.
Officer A looked to his right and observed Officer B grab his right leg and he observed
blood soaking through his jeans. Officer B stated, “You shot me” and laughed. Officer
A stated that he called “shots fired by the police” over the radio and then called for an
ambulance for an injured officer. Officer A related that an ambulance arrived minutes
later and transported Officer B to the hospital. Officer A indicated that Officer B was
treated for bullet fragments that hit him in the leg. Officer A did not believe he had any
other choice when he discharged his firearm at the dog. Officer A believed that the dog
was going to attack him or the other officers in the backyard.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1056092 / U #12-19
CONCLUSION AND FINDING:
This investigation found that the use of deadly force by Officer A against a pit bull dog
was Justified and in compliance with Chicago Police Department policy and Illinois State
statutes. Bullet fragments from the justified shooting of the pit bull accidentally struck
Officer B in the knee.
Officer A was assisting with a search warrant when a pit bull dog charged at him in an
aggressive manner. Officer A attempted to retreat and get away from the pit bull.
Officer A was in fear for his safety and the safety of his fellow officers and was forced to
discharge his firearm at the pit bull. Officer A shot the dog in the face, which stopped the
threat to himself and the other officers in the area. The bullet passed through the pit bull
and bullet fragments inadvertently struck Officer B near his right knee.
Officer A’s actions were in accordance with the statute “to prevent death or great bodily
harm to a sworn member or to another person” because he reasonably believed he and his
fellow officers were in danger when the pit bull charged at them. The reports document
that there was a high likelihood that Officer A was in danger of “great bodily harm”
described in the statute if he did not stop the threat from the pit bull. Subsequently, the
bullet fragments that struck Officer B is ruled Accidental.

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