INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1059031/U #12-47
INVESTIGATION
NUMBER:
Log #1059031 / U #12-47
OFFICER
INVOLVED:

OFFICER’S
INJURIES:
WITNESS
OFFICER:

“Officer A” (Chicago Police Officer); Female/Hispanic; 32 years
old; On-duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2004
Transported to hospital. No injuries reported.

“Officer B” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/White; 40 years
old; On-duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 1997

WITNESS
OFFICER’S
INJURIES:

Injured arm and ankle.

SUBJECT:

“Subject 1”; Male/Black; 23 years old

SUBJECT’S
INJURIES:

Two gunshot wounds, one to the stomach and one
to the pelvic region; superficial injuries due to being struck by Beat
0935. Transported to St. Bernard’s, DOA.

DATE/ TIME:

15 December 2012, at 1109 hours.

LOCATION:

1551 West Garfield Boulevard.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1059031/U #12-47
Incident Summary
Beat 0935 monitored a “flash” message for an armed robbery in progress. The
message provided a description of the vehicle and offenders that were involved in the
robbery, and that the offenders were armed. Beat 0935 was driven by Officer B with
Officer A as the passenger. The officers observed the wanted vehicle near 55th Street and
South Western Avenue. Beat 0935 attempted to stop the vehicle, which fled eastbound
on 55th Street at a high rate of speed. Beat 0935 pursued the vehicle until the vehicle
crashed in front of the Phillips 66 Gas Station located at 55th Street and Ashland
Avenue. Four black males exited the vehicle. Three of the black males escaped on foot,
but Subject 1 fell to the ground and Beat 0935, entering the gas station, struck Subject 1.
The officers exited their vehicle and Officer B attempted to take Subject 1 into custody,
at which time Subject 1 threw Officer B to the ground. Subject 1 then stood up and had a
black object in his hand (later determined to be a black metal Mag flashlight). Officer A
yelled, “Gun, gun” and fired two rounds striking Subject 1. Subject 1 was transported to
St. Bernard’s Hospital and pronounced deceased from gunshot wounds to his left flank
and left hip.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1059031/U #12-47
Investigation
General Offense Case Reports HV603521, HV603523, and HV603442
document the accounts of the robbery at 5400 S. Western Avenue and 3817 S. Kedzie
Avenue, and the police involved shooting that occurred at 1551 W. Garfield Boulevard.
The reports also document the parties involved in the incident, their interviews
with detectives, and the Medical Examiner’s findings and manner of death of Subject 1.
CPD Detective 1, conducted the following interviews:
Officer B stated that he was working Beat 935, in uniform, driving a marked
Chevrolet Tahoe with his partner, Officer A. He stated that they were on patrol when he
monitored a call of an armed robbery near 38th Street and Kedzie Avenue where four
black male offenders were armed with gun and driving a gray Chevrolet Trail Blazer. The
officers were touring the area for the offenders when a second call came over the air of
two black males in a gray Chevrolet Trial Blazer breaking off the seal of a semi-truck
near 54th Street and fleeing northbound on Western Avenue. The officers observed the
suspect vehicle in the area of 51st Street and Western Avenue and attempted to stop the
vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. Officer B pursued the vehicle
while making notification to OEMC. The Trail Blazer crashed at Phillips Gas Station at
55th Street and Ashland Boulevard. Officer B turned into the gas station just past the
Trail Blazer and struck Subject 1, who ran in front of the police vehicle while fleeing
from the Chevrolet Trail Blazer. Officer B and Officer A exited their vehicle and
attempted to place Subject 1 into custody when Subject 1 threw Officer B over him and
slammed him onto the ground. Officer B heard Officer A yell, “Gun, gun” and then heard
two gunshots. Officer B continued to attempt to restrain Subject 1, who was still
struggling until other officers arrived. Officer B stated that officers found a black metal
Mag flashlight underneath Subject 1, but no gun. Officer B sustained minor injuries to his
arm and ankle and was transported to Mercy Hospital for treatment.
Officer A stated essentially the same information as Officer B. Officer A added
that as Officer B attempted to take Subject 1 into custody, Officer A provided other
officers information over the radio. Officer A further stated that after Subject 1 threw
Officer B to the ground, she observed what she believed was a black gun in Subject 1’s
right hand. Fearing for her life, and the life of Officer B, Officer A fired two rounds at
Subject 1. Officer A stated that officers found a black metal Mag flashlight under Subject
1, but no gun.
Officer C stated that he was working with his partner, Officer D, and monitoring
the radio when they heard a flash message for a silver vehicle wanted for a robbery in the
area of 38th Street and Kedzie Avenue. They observed the wanted silver SUV traveling
southbound on Western Avenue. Officer C followed the pursuit and when the silver SUV
reached 55th Street and Ashland Avenue the vehicle crashed. Officer C heard a female
officer’s voice (Officer A) over the radio shouting out the direction of flight of the
offenders. Officer C and Officer D toured the area looking for the offenders, when
Officer A shouted over the air, “He’s got a gun, he’s got a gun, need assistance.” Officer

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1059031/U #12-47
C and Officer D ran into the parking lot of the Phillip 66 gas station and observed Officer
B handcuffing Subject 1. Officer C observed Subject 1 holding a black flashlight in his
right hand.
Officer D stated essentially the same details of the incident as Officer C.
Witness 1, a cashier working at the Phillips 66 Gas Station, stated that he heard a
vehicle crash and saw smoke. Witness 1 heard two gunshots, but did not observe what
occurred.
Witness 2 stated that she was a passenger in a vehicle belonging to Adrian Cash
and located in the Phillip 66 lot. Witness 2 observed a silver SUV slam into a light pole
and several people running from the SUV. The last person (Subject 1) to exit the SUV
was struck by a police vehicle. Subject 1 then crawled from under the police vehicle and
began struggling with a male police officer (Officer B). Subject 1 then slammed Officer
B to the ground while the female officer (Officer A) pulled out her gun and fired two
shots at Subject 1.
Witness 3 stated essentially the same account of the incident as Witness 2.
Witness 3 added that after Subject 1 threw Officer B to the ground he turned toward
Officer A.
Officer A’s Tactical Response Report documents Subject 1’s actions as “Did
Not Follow Verbal Directions,” “Fled,” “Pulled Away,” “Imminent Threat of Battery,”
“Attacked with a Weapon,” and “Uses Force Likely to Cause Death or Great Bodily
Harm (Weapon).” The report also documents that as officers attempted to arrest Subject 1
he slammed Officer B to the ground, and Officer A, believing that Subject 1 had a
weapon in his hand, and in fear for her life, and that of Officer B, discharged her weapon.
Officer B’s Tactical Response Report documents Subject 1’s actions as “Did
Not Follow Verbal Directions,” “Fled,” “Pulled Away,” “Imminent Threat of Battery,”
and “Attacked with a Weapon.” The report also documents that as officers attempted to
arrest Subject 1, he slammed Officer B to the ground.
Officer B’s Officer’s Battery Report, documents that he was on-duty in full
uniform, and working with one partner in a marked police vehicle. The type of activity
was “Man with a gun,” “Traffic Stop/Pursuit” and “Pursing/ Arresting Offender.” The
“Manner of Attack” was “Struck/ Blunt Force” (including actual attack). “Type of
Weapon/Threat” was “Slammed Officer on his Back.” Officer B sustained swelling and
bruising.
Officer A’s Officer’s Battery Report, documents that she was on-duty in full
uniform, and working with one partner in a marked police vehicle. The type of activity
was “Man with a Gun,” “Traffic Stop/Pursuit” and “Pursing/Arresting Offender.” The
“Manner of Attack” was “Other,” and the “Type of Weapon/Threat” was “Hands/Fist”
and a “Handgun” pointed at an officer. Officer A sustained no injuries.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1059031/U #12-47
The Traffic Pursuit Report, submitted by CPD Sergeant 1, documents that
Officer B and Officer A became engaged in a high-speed vehicle pursuit with several
robbery suspects driving a silver Chevrolet SUV. The pursuit lasted approximately 1.5
minutes covering approximately 2 miles. Reports were given that the occupants of the
vehicle were armed with a gun. The SUV disobeyed several stoplights and weaved in and
out of traffic before striking a light pole where several suspects fled the area on foot.
POD #628, located at 1600 W. Garfield Boulevard, did not capture the vehicle
pursuit or the shooting.
Images from surveillance cameras the Phillips 66 Gas Station located at 1551 S.
Ashland Avenue clearly depict images of the incident as described in Chicago Police
Reports.
Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) traffic
included calls to 911 regarding robberies in the area of 38th Street and Kedzie Street and
CPD transmissions in regards to a vehicle pursuit. The officer involved shooting is
documented under Event Numbers 1235007128, 1235007165, 1235007170, 1235004696,
1235007827, 1235008015, 1235008860, 1235009082, 1235009206, 1235010490 and
1235010804.
The Crime Scene Processing Reports document that units from the Mobile
Crime Lab processed the scene and took photographs and video of the area.
The Mobile Crime Lab photographs and Crime Scene video depict the scene,
recovered evidence, and Subject 1’s body.
The Chicago Fire Department Ambulance Run Sheet documents that the
paramedics found Subject 1, lying on ground, handcuffed and unresponsive.
The Report of the Postmortem Examination for Subject 1 documents that he
sustained one gunshot wound to the left side of the back and one gunshot wound to the
left side of his hip. The cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds.
The Illinois State Police, Division of Forensic Services Report, dated 16
January 2013, documents that Officer A’s weapon was in good firing condition, and the
two fired bullets that struck Subject 1 were fired from Officer A’s weapon.
The Alcohol and Drug Testing Report submitted by CPD Sergeant 2,
documents that on 15 December 2012, at 1442 hours, CPD Sergeant 2 administered the
alcohol and drug test to Officer A. The results document that Officer A was not under the
influence of any type of alcohol or narcotic at the time of the incident.
Civil Suit, #13 C483, filed on 11 February 2013, documents that Victor P.
Henderson and Samuel Adam Jr. filed a Wrongful Death suit on behalf of [MINOR], a

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1059031/U #12-47
minor, by his mother, [Female]. The documents cite that Officer A, in the course of her
duties as a Chicago Police Officer, used excessive and unjustified force during the arrest
of Subject 1.
In an IPRA telephone interview on 15 December 2012, Witness 4 stated that he
was in the Phillips 66 gas station located at 5501 S. Ashland Avenue at the time of the
incident. Witness 4 saw a gray Jeep Cherokee (actually a gray Chevrolet Trail Blazer)
moving at a high rate of speed crash into the pole that was located near the gas station lot.
Witness 4 saw four black males exit the vehicle. Witness 4 saw a marked Chicago Police
Tahoe come rapidly into the gas station where it struck one of the black males (Subject
1). After Subject 1 was struck by the officer’s police vehicle, Witness 4 saw him engage
in a struggle with a white male officer (Officer B). While on the ground, a white female
officer (Officer A) approached Subject 1 and Officer B and Officer A yelled, “Don’t
move.” Witness 4 then heard two gunshots. Witness 4 did not observe a weapon in
Subject 1’s hand.
In an IPRA telephone interview taken on 15 December 2012, Witness 5 stated
that as she entered the gas station at 5501 S. Ashland Avenue, she saw a truck (No
description provided) traveling at a high rate of speed and crash into a pole. Witness 5
observed several black males exit the vehicle and flee the area on foot. As one of the
black males (Subject 1) exited the rear of the truck, a police vehicle struck him. The
officers from the police vehicle exited and pulled Subject 1 from under the vehicle.
Witness 5 then observed a struggle between the officers and heard several gunshots.
In an IPRA telephone interview taken on 15 December 2012, Witness 6 stated
that as she waited at the bus stop at 55th Street and Ashland Avenue she observed an SUV
crash into a pole. Several black males jumped out of the rear of the SUV and fled on foot.
Witness 6 saw one of the black males (Subject 1) jump out of the rear of the SUV and get
struck by a police vehicle. Witness 6 then observed Subject 1 and Officer B wrestling on
the ground. Witness 6 then heard four to five gunshots, and saw Subject 1 lying on the
ground. Witness 6 stated that she believed that Subject 1 had a mobile telephone in his
hand.
Witness 2 was interviewed by CPD Detective 1 but refused to be interviewed by
IPRA, or cooperate further with the investigation.
In an interview at IPRA on 19 November 2013, Officer A, provided the same
details of the incident as she provided to the assigned detectives and documented in the
General Case Reports and earlier in this report.
In an interview at IPRA on 5 December 2013, Officer B, provided the same
details of the incident as he provided to the assigned detectives and documented in
General Case Reports and earlier in this report.

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log # 1059031/U #12-47
CONCLUSION AND FINDINGS:
This investigation found that the use of deadly force by Officer A was in
compliance with Chicago Police Department policy and Illinois State Statutes. According
to the Chicago Police Department’s General Order 03-02-03, III:
A.

“a sworn member is justified in using 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.
c.

is attempting to escape by use of a deadly weapon or;
Otherwise indicates hat he or she will endanger human life to
inflict great bodily harm unless arrested without delay.”

Officer A and Officer B monitored radio transmissions of an armed robbery
involving black males driving a gray Chevrolet SUV. Officer A and Officer B observed
the SUV and initiated a pursuit. The SUV crashed and the four occupants, including
Subject 1, exited the vehicle. As Subject 1 exited the SUV, he was struck by Officer B
and Officer A’s police vehicle. As Officer B attempted to place Subject 1 into custody,
Subject 1 slammed Officer B to the ground. At approximately that moment, Officer A
saw what she believed to be a gun in the hand of Subject 1. Being in fear for her life, and
the life of Officer B, Officer A fired two times striking Subject 1. Subject 1 was
pronounced deceased from the gunshot wounds. Officers recovered a black metal Mag
flashlight from under Subject 1’s body.

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