INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1068458/U#14-11
INVESTIGATION
NUMBER:
Log #1068458/ U#14-11
OFFICER
INVOLVED#1:

OFFICER #1’S
INJURIES:
OFFICER
INVOLVED #2:

OFFICER #2’S
INJURIES:
OFFICER
INVOLVED #3:

OFFICER #3’S
INJURIES:
OFFICER
INVOLVED #4:

OFFICER #4’S
INJURIES:
WITNESS
OFFICER #1:

WITNESS
OFFICER #2:

WITNESS
OFFICER #3:

“Officer A” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/Hispanic; 38 years old;
On Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 1998

None Reported

“Officer B” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/White; 30 years old;
On Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2014

None Reported

“Officer C” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/Hispanic; 35 years old;
On Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2000

None Reported

“Officer D” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/White; 29 years old;
On Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2004

None Reported

“Officer E” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/White; 26 years old;
On Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2009

“Officer F” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/Hispanic; 45 years old;
On Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2001

“Officer G” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/Hispanic; 46 years old;
On Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2004

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1068458/U#14-11
WITNESS
OFFICER #4:

WITNESS
OFFICER #5:

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT’S
WEAPON:

SUBJECT’S
INJURIES:
LOCATION:

“Officer H” (Chicago Police Sergeant); Male/White; 50 years old;
On Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 1990

“Officer I” (Chicago Police Officer); Male/Black; 38 years old; On
Duty; In Uniform; Year of Appointment – 2000
“Subject 1”; Male/Hispanic; 18 years old

Multiple kitchen knives; 3.5 inch knife with brown plastic handle,
4.5 inch knife with tan handle, 7.5 inch knife with brown wooden
handle, and 10.5 inch knife with brown handle.

Multiple gun shot wounds. Pronounced dead at the scene.
XXXX W. 50th Street
Beat 923

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Log #1068458/U#14-11
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On 07 April 2014, at approximately 1802 hours, Officers A and B responded to
XXXX W. 50th Street in response to a domestic dispute at that location. Upon arrival, the
officers observed the subject, now known to be Subject 1, who was sitting on the front
porch steps, holding a two year-old child and refused to give the child to another male,
now known to be Witness 2. Subject 1 had one hand in his backpack and stated that he
was holding a 9mm pistol and he was not going back to jail. A struggle ensued between
Witness 2 and Subject 1 near the doorway of the residence. Eventually, Witness 2 was
able to take possession of the child and they ran into the residence. Subject 1 followed
directly behind Witness 2 and the struggle continued in the kitchen area, where Subject 1
obtained several knives. Witness 2 was able to escape from Subject 1 and proceeded to
the rear of the house, where the child and a female, now known as Witness 3, waited. 1
Additional officers were requested, included those who were equipped with a
taser. Several officers instructed Subject 1, in both English and Spanish, to drop the
knives. Subject 1 refused to comply and again stated that he was not going back to jail.
Subject 1 held a small knife to his throat and punctured his throat. Subject 1 then picked
up a larger knife (approximately 10-12” blade) and held it against his throat. Subject 1
then pointed the knife to the officers as he stepped towards Officer A and assisting
officers. The involved officers discharged their firearms and their tasers at Subject 1.
Subject 1 retreated to a back room where he fell forward and expired. 2

1

During the course of the investigation it was determined that Subject 1 entered the residence while
holding the child and a struggle ensued between Subject 1 and Witness 2. At this time, Witness 5 came up
and grabbed the child and ran out of the residence with the child. The child was not located inside the
residence when the police involved shooting occurred.

2

Diagram of the Scene documented that Subject 1 fled and fell into the rear bedroom. There was no
residents located in the rear bedroom when the officers fired in that direction. All of the residents were
located in the side bedroom

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Log #1068458/U#14-11
INVESTIGATION:
There was no Arrest Report for Subject 1. The Department Case Report noted
to refer to the Detective Supplemental Report for the summary of the investigation.
A Tactical Response Report completed by Officer A documented that Subject 1
“did not follow verbal direction,” “fled,” was an “imminent threat of battery,” “attack[ed]
with a weapon,” and used “force likely to cause death or great bodily harm [with a]
weapon.” Officer A responded with “member presence”, “verbal commands”, and the
use of his “firearm”. The narrative documented that the subject was “armed with a large
knife.” CPD Deputy Chief A approved the TRR submitted by Officer A and documented
that Officer A’s actions were in compliance with Department Directives.
The Officer’s Battery Report for Officer A documented that he did not receive
any injuries.
A Tactical Response Report completed by Officer B documented that Subject 1
“did not follow verbal direction,” “fled,” was an “imminent threat of battery,” “attack[ed]
with a weapon,” and used “force likely to cause death or great bodily harm [with a]
weapon.” Officer B responded with “member presence”, “verbal commands”, and the
use of his “firearm.” The narrative documented that the subject was “armed with a large
knife.” CPD Deputy Chief A approved the TRR submitted by Officer B and documented
that Officer B’s actions were in compliance with Department Directives.
The Officer’s Battery Report for Officer B documented that he did not receive
any injuries.
A Tactical Response Report completed by Officer C documented that Subject 1
“did not follow verbal direction,” “fled,” was an “imminent threat of battery,” “attack[ed]
with a weapon,” and used “force likely to cause death or great bodily harm [with a]
weapon.” Officer C responded with “member presence”, “verbal commands”, and the
use of his “Taser (probe discharge)”. The narrative documented that the subject was
“armed with a large knife.” CPD Deputy Chief A approved the TRR submitted by
Officer C and documented that Officer C’s actions were in compliance with Department
Directives.
The Officer’s Battery Report for Officer C documented that he did not receive
any injuries.
A Tactical Response Report completed by Officer D documented that Subject 1
“did not follow verbal direction,” “fled,” was an “imminent threat of battery,” “attack[ed]
with a weapon,” and used “force likely to cause death or great bodily harm [with a]
weapon.” Officer D responded with “member presence”, “verbal commands”, and the
use of his “Taser (probe discharge)”. The narrative documented that the subject was
“armed with a large knife.” CPD Deputy Chief A approved the TRR submitted by

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Officer D and documented that Officer D’s actions were in compliance with Department
Directives.
The Officer’s Battery Report for Officer D documented that he did not receive
any injuries.
The Chicago Fire Department Ambulance Report documented that Subject 1
had multiple gunshot wounds around his entire body. Subject 1 was found lying on his
stomach, with his eyes dilated and unresponsive.
IPRA sent a certified letter to the family of Subject 1 detailing that IPRA is
conducting an investigation into the police involved shooting involving Subject 1.
There were no Medical Records for Subject 1 as he was pronounced dead at the
scene.
Medical Examiners Report documented that Subject 1 was examined on 08
April 2014. The report related that Subject 1 sustained thirteen gun shots (one in his
chest, one in his back, one in his pelvis, one in his forearm, one in his lower left leg, four
in his buttocks, four in his thighs) throughout his body. There was an incised wound to
the neck approximately 1/8 inch deep. This wound was located in the anterior midline
11.5 inches from the top of the head. The cause of death was multiple gun shot wounds.
A Canvass was conducted on 08 April 2014 near the location of XXXX W. 50th
Street. IPRA Investigators A and B were unable to locate any residents that witnessed
the incident in question.
Crime Scene Processing Report #246481 and #246484 documented items
inventoried and photographs of the scene. The report also documented that all of the
involved officer’s weapons were recovered in the presence of CPD Deputy Chief A at the
Area Central Detectives Division. The reports were submitted by Officers J and K.
Evidence Technician Photographs documented the crime scene and the
subject’s weapons (various knives). A large knife with a brown wooden handle was
photographed on the floor in the bedroom near Subject 1’s body. One small knife was
photographed on the kitchen floor and another small knife was photographed in an open
kitchen drawer. A medium sized knife with a brown wooden handle was photographed
in the kitchen sink. Additional photographs were taken of multiple gun shot wounds to
Subject 1.
Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory Reports documented under
Lab Case #C14-012442 that firearms belonging to Officers A and B were tested and in
proper working condition. The unfired cartridges were analyzed for caliber and type
only. The cartridge casings recovered from the scene were fired from each of the
officer’s weapons.

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Log #1068458/U#14-11
The related OMEC Event Queries documented that at 1746 hours on 07 April
2014, Witness 2 called 911 to report that his sister’s child’s father, Subject 1, was at
XXXX W. 50th Street and was violating an Order of Protection and refused to return a 2
year-old child. At 1748 hours, Beat 923 was dispatched to that location. Between 1751
hours and 1800 hours, several other units were dispatched to that location. At 1802
hours, a police officer reported shots fired by the police at XXXX W. 50th Street.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 08 April 2014, conducted by IPRA
Investigator A, Witness 1 related that she and the subject, now known as Subject 1, have
a child together, now known as [Child]. Witness 1 related that on 07 April 2014, she was
at her residence located at XXXX W. 50th Street and found Subject 1 sitting on the porch
with their son. Witness 1 had an order of protection against Subject 1 after he battered
her in February 2013. An argument ensued to the point that Subject 1 refused to release
their son and leave the premises.
Witness 1 related that her brother, now known to be Witness 2, called the police
and, when the police arrived, Witness 1 went outside and told the officers that she wanted
Subject 1 to release the child. At this time, Subject 1 had his hands inside his book bag.
An officer asked him to take his hands out of the bag and Subject 1 stated, “No.” 3 The
officer asked Subject 1 what was inside the bag and Subject 1 stated, “a 9 millimeter.” 4
Subject 1 then stood up and entered the residence. Witness 1 then heard her brother,
Witness 2, and her friend, now known to be Witness 5, plead with Subject 1 to release the
child. At some point, Witness 5 grabbed the book bag and tossed it out of the house; she
then grabbed the child and ran out of the house.
Witness 1 stayed outside of the house and heard gun shots, but did not witness the
police involved shooting.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 14 May 2014, conducted by IPRA
Investigator C, Witness 2 related that on 07 April 2014, his sister, now known as Witness
1, came into his room and alerted him that her ex-boyfriend, now known to be Subject 1,
was outside, sitting on the front steps of the house playing with their child, now known to
be [Child]. Witness 2 exited the house and began to argue with Subject 1 about the child.
After several minutes, Witness 2 called 91l to report that Subject 1 was violating an
Order of Protection since he was on the property.
Once the police arrived, Subject 1 was holding the child with his left hand, placed
his right hand inside his book bag and announced that he had a gun in the bag. The
officers repeatedly tried to convince Subject 1 to drop the weapon. Eventually, Subject 1
got up and forced his way into the residence by pushing Witness 2 to the side. When
Subject 1 did this, an individual, now known to be Witness 5, grabbed the child and ran
to the street. Once Subject 1 entered the house, Witness 2 and his other sister, now
known to be Witness 3, attempted to stop Subject 1 from advancing into the residence,
but Subject 1 overpowered them and continued into the kitchen where he grabbed a small
3
4

Attachment 34, Page 8, Line 17
Attachment 34, Page 8, Line 20

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knife. Witness 2 and Witness 3 ran to one of the bedrooms in the back of the house,
where he stood by the door and watched the situation. Officers entered the residence
with their guns drawn and pleaded with Subject 1 to drop the knife and not to kill
himself.
Witness 2 related that he heard officers’ radio several times for a taser. Witness 2
observed an officer explain to Subject 1 in English and in Spanish that he could help him
and that he didn’t have to kill himself. At some point Subject 1 picked up a bigger knife
with an 8 to 10 inch blade and was pushing the knife into his neck. An officer then
instructed Witness 2 to close the bedroom door, which he did. Shortly thereafter, he
heard multiple gun shots. Witness 2 related that when the shooting stopped, he opened
the door and the officers instructed him and his sister to get out of the house.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 08 April 2014, conducted by IPRA
Investigator B and IPRA Investigator D, Witness 3 related, in essence, the same
information as Witness 1 and Witness 2. Witness 3 added that she and her brother were
pushing Subject 1 away from the door in an effort to stop him from entering the
residence. As they were doing this, Witness 5 was able to grab the child and take him
away from Subject 1. Subject 1 then pushed her and Witness 2 out of the way, ran into
the house and entered the kitchen where he pulled out a knife, approximately 7 inches in
length, from one of the kitchen drawers. Subject 1 then held the knife against his chest
and stated, “I’m not going back, I’m not going back.” The officers tried to talk Subject 1
out of harming himself, but Subject 1 refused to drop the knife. Witness 3 related that
“the officers did everything within their possibilities to get Subject 1 to drop the
weapon.” 5 Witness 3 and Witness 2 then ran to a bedroom at the rear of the residence and
closed the door. While inside the room, Witness 3 was attempting to escape out to the
side window when she heard Subject 1 run down the hall and approximately twelve
gunshots.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 08 April 2014, conducted by IPRA
Investigator E, Witness 4 related that he was in his basement, located at XXXX W. 50th
Street, when he was asked to come outside by his upstairs neighbor, now known as
Witness 2. Witness 4 went outside to the front of the residence and observed Witness 2’s
sister, now known as Witness 1 sitting on the front steps to the house. Witness 4 related
that the subject, now known to be Subject 1, was also sitting on the steps and that he was
holding Witness 1’s son, [Child]. Witness 4 related that he and Witness 1 asked Subject
1 to release the child and leave the premises, but Subject 1 refused. Witness 4 related
that Witness 2 called the police and that approximately ten minutes later a squad car
arrived with two officers. As soon as the officers entered the walkway to the residence,
Subject 1 picked up the child and attempted to enter the house. Witness 4 observed
Witness 2 and Witness 1’s friend, now known to be Witness 5, standing inside the
doorway preventing Subject 1 from entering the house. Subject 1 forced his way into the
house, at which time Witness 5 grabbed the child and ran out of the house. Subject 1
then made his way into the kitchen. Officers entered the residence and proceeded
towards the kitchen where they repeatedly pleaded with Subject 1 to drop a knife.
5

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Witness 4 related that he was not inside the residence when the officers discharged their
firearms.
The Detectives Supplementary Report (RD #HX214663 – Aggravated Assault
with a Knife/Cutting Instrument) documented the Reporting Detectives investigation of
the incident. On 07 April 2014, at approximately 1825 hours, the Reporting Detectives
were assigned by CPD Sergeant 1 to investigate a police involved shooting which
occurred at XXXX W. 50th Street. After arriving at the scene, the Reporting Detectives
interviewed the involved police officers and the responding and witness officers who
related, in essence, the same information about the incident that they provided in their
statements to IPRA.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 09 April 2014, Officer A related that
he was partnered with Officer F when they responded to a call of a violation of an Order
of Protection at XXXX W. 50th Street. Upon arrival, Officer A observed a male
Hispanic, now known to be Subject 1, sitting on the front steps to the entrance of the
house. Officer A walked towards Subject 1 and asked him to stand up, which Subject 1
refused to do. Officer A observed a black book bag next to Subject 1’s right hip. Subject
1 reached into the bag and related that there was a 9 millimeter pistol inside it. Officer A
then unholstered his weapon. Officer A related that there was a child, now known to be
[Child], standing in front of Subject 1. Subject 1 picked up the child and placed the child
on his lap. Officer A started talking to Subject 1 and stated, “We can talk this out. We
can figure out what’s going on. I don’t even know why I’m here. Put your son down.” 6
This continued on for several minutes until Subject 1 turned around seemingly to place
the child inside the house.
Officer A observed Subject 1 stand inside the entry way of the front door and
thought that Subject 1 was going to hand the child over to a male, now known to be
Witness 2, who was inside the house. Officer A then heard yelling and observed Subject
1 and Witness 2 shove each other. Seconds later, Officer A heard Witness 2 call out that
he had the child. Officer A holstered his weapon, ran up the stairs and grabbed onto the
back of Subject 1’s sweatshirt to try and pull him out of the house. However, Subject 1
kept moving forward towards the kitchen and Officer A followed him. When they
entered the kitchen, Subject 1 pulled out a knife from one of the drawers and started
yelling that he was on parole and that he was not going back to prison. Officer A
unholstered his weapon and ordered Subject 1 to put the knife down. Witness 2 was still
inside the house and ran to a bedroom on the east side of the hallway. Officer A
continued to order Subject 1 to drop the knife, but instead, Subject 1 placed the knife
against his neck. Officer A related that, at first, Subject 1 was holding a small knife to
his neck, but eventually switched to a larger knife. Officer A repeatedly ordered Subject
1 to drop the knife and lie on his stomach. The situation continued on for several minutes
as additional officers entered the residence. Officer A related that Subject 1 pushed the
knife into his neck and started yelling, “I’m going back there. I’m going back there,” 7
meaning to the back room of the house where Witness 2 and Witness 3 were located.
6
7

Attachment 55, Page 11, Lines 18-20
Attachment 55, Page 25, Lines 17-18

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Officer A related that the situation began to escalate when Subject 1 became
angrier and closed the distance between them. Officer A related that they were standing
in the kitchen area, which was U-shaped, and there was a distance of 5 to 6 feet between
them. Subject 1 then lowered the knife to his mid section, pointed it towards Officer A
and lunged towards him. Officer A believed he was going to be stabbed and, in fear for
his life, discharged his weapon in the direction of Subject 1. Subject 1 then turned and
ran down the hall where the bedroom was located. Officer A feared that the individuals
in the bedroom were going to be hurt and continued to discharge his weapon. Officer A
related that he fired ten shots and did not stop firing his weapon until Subject 1 fell to the
ground. As Officer A fired his weapon, he heard other officers fire their weapons and
also heard an officer deploy his taser. Officer A stopped firing his weapon when Subject
1 was no longer a threat to him or the family inside the house. Officer A added that he
yelled at Subject 1 to get down on the floor before he lunged at him and several officers
ordered him to drop the knife. Officer A further related that there was no one, except for
Subject 1, that was in the line of fire when he discharged his weapon.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 09 April 2014, Officer B related
that, on 07 April 2014, he was called to assist officers at the location of XXXX W. 50th
Street. Upon arrival, Officer B entered the residence and observed Officers A and F
standing near the kitchen with their guns drawn. Inside the kitchen was the subject, now
known as Subject 1, who was holding a knife to his throat. Officer B unholstered his
weapon and stood between Officer A, who was to his right and Officer F, who was to his
left. Officer B, along with Officers A and F, repeatedly ordered Subject 1 to drop the
knife and attempted to calm him down. Subject 1 repeatedly responded by stating words
to the effect, “You’re gonna have to shoot me. You’re gonna have to kill me. I’m not
going back to prison.” 8 While standing in the kitchen, Officer B observed two people
now known to be Witness 2 and Witness 3 down the hallway, in a room. Subject 1 then
took the knife and tried to cut his arm with it, but was unsuccessful. Subject 1 dropped
the knife and picked up a larger knife and held it to his throat.
Officer B related that his partner, now known to be Officer E, radioed for an
officer with a taser. Officer B related that Subject 1 appeared to be under the influence of
narcotics. The situation escalated to the point that Subject 1 began telling the officers
that he was going to the back of the house where the family was located. Officer B
related that Officer A repeatedly told Subject 1 that if he went to the back of the house,
he was going to have to shoot him. Subject 1 held the knife to his throat for several more
minutes before he lowered the knife, pointed it towards Officers A and B and lunged
towards them. Officer B was in fear for his life, the life of Officer A, and the lives of the
family members located inside the house, so he discharged his firearm at Subject 1.
Officer B related that, once he fired his weapon, he heard other officers fire their
weapons and an officer discharging a taser. Subject 1 then turned and ran towards the
rear bedroom. Officer B related that he fired his weapon eleven times and stopped firing
because his gun went into “slide lock.” Once Officer B stopped firing his weapon,
Subject 1 fell forward on to the floor. Officer B added that he was constantly giving
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Subject 1 verbal commands to drop the knife and that there was another way out of the
situation.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 09 April 2014, Officer C related
that, on 07 April 2014, he was equipped with a taser and responded to XXXX W. 50th
Street due to officers needing a taser at that location. When he entered the residence,
Officer C observed the subject, now known to be Subject 1, holding a knife to his neck
and appeared to him to be under the influence because his eyes were big and fixed. Also
inside the residence were several officers with their weapons drawn. Officer C gave
verbal directions in English and Spanish to Subject 1 to drop the knife and no one would
get hurt. Suddenly, Subject 1 pointed the knife towards the officers and lunged at them,
at which time Officer C deployed his taser. Subject 1 then turned and ran towards the
back bedroom. Officer C related that he heard eight gunshots and then saw Subject 1 fall
face forward in the back room.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 09 April 2014, Officer D related
that, on 07 April 2014, he was assigned to the 7th District and was partnered with Officer
I. Officer D related that they were traveling northbound on Western when he observed
several squad cars with their emergency equipment activated traveling at a high rate of
speed in the opposite direction. Officer D switched his radio over to Zone 13 and heard
officers call for a taser at XXXX W. 50th Street. Officer D went over the air and
announced that he had a taser and would respond to the location. Once Officer D arrived
at the location, he and his partner entered the residence and observed the subject, now
known to be Subject 1, standing in the kitchen with a large knife to his throat. Officer D
described Subject 1 as being agitated and irate, and he kept stating, “I’m gonna fucking
go back there. I’m gonna fucking go back there.” 9 Officer D related that there were
several officers already inside the house who pleaded with Subject 1 to drop the knife and
lay down on the ground. Officer D learned that there were family members in the house,
located down the hallway from the kitchen. Officer D was only in the house for about a
minute when Subject 1 started making movements towards the officers. As he did this,
Subject 1 lowered the knife from his throat, pointed it at the officers and then lunged
towards them. Officer D then discharged his taser at Subject 1. Officer D related that,
when he discharged his taser, he simultaneously heard pops and gunshots being fired by
other officers. Subject 1 then ran down the hallway and collapsed into a bedroom.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 08 April 2014, Witness Officer E in
essence, related the same information as his partner, Officer B. Officer E added that,
when he entered the kitchen, he heard Officers A and F state words to the effect of,
“Drop the knife. Drop it, we’ll talk about this. You don’t need to do that,” 10 towards the
subject, now known to be Subject 1. Officer E related that Subject 1 had the knife up
touching his neck and repeatedly stated, “You’ll take me to prison. I can’t go back to
prison. I’m on parole.” 11 This continued on for several minutes while Officer E radioed
for an officer with a taser and an ambulance. Officer E related that he and several
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Attachment 42, Page 9, Lines 25-26
Attachment 50, Page 15, Lines 16-18
11
Attachment 50, Page 16, Lines 28-29
10

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officers said whatever they could to Subject 1 in an effort to get him to drop the knife, but
he failed to comply. Officer E observed several individuals at the back of the house, and
instructed them to get in the room and close the door. Officer E related that Subject 1
began stating that he wanted to go to the back of the house. Eventually, Subject 1
grabbed a larger knife. Several officers then stated, “Don’t go to the back. Don’t do it,
don’t do it.” 12 Subject 1 responded by stating, “I’m going to the back, I’ll go back there.
Don’t tase me, I’ll go back there.” 13 Suddenly, Officer E heard gunfire and the tasers
discharging. Officer E related that he saw Subject 1 run down the hall and then fall
through a doorway.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 08 April 2014, Officer F in essence,
related the same information as his partner, Officer A. Officer A entered the residence
first and Officer F followed. As they entered the kitchen, Officer F observed the subject,
now known to be Subject 1, fight with another individual, now known to be Witness 2.
Officer F related that Officer A yelled at Witness 1 to get out of the kitchen, at which
time Witness 1 ran to back bedroom. Officer F related that Subject 1 grabbed a knife and
put it to his stomach, his wrist and then his neck and stated “I’m not going back to jail.
I’m on parole…..you’re gonna have to kill me.” 14 Additional officers arrived on the
scene. At some point during this time, Subject 1 grabbed a larger knife and put it to his
throat. An officer entered the residence with a taser and Subject 1 became nervous.
Officer F related that Officer G started talking to Subject 1 in Spanish, asking him to put
down the knife and telling him that he wouldn’t go to jail, but Subject 1 wasn’t paying
attention and stated that he was going to the back of the house. Subject 1 then pointed
the knife towards the officers and lunged towards them. Officer F heard shots and a taser
being fired and observed Subject 1 turn around and run down the hall out of his view.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 07 April 2014, Witness Officer G
related, in essence, the same information as his partner, Officer C. Officer G added that
when he and his partner entered the residence he observed three officers with their guns
drawn and pointed towards an individual, now known to be Subject 1, who was standing
in the kitchen with a large knife to his throat. Officer G related that he walked in
between Officers B and F and started talking to Subject 1 in Spanish. Officer G related
that he told Subject 1, “Put the knife down. We’re here to help….the officers can put
their guns down if you put your knife down”, 15 but Subject 1 did not pay any attention to
him. Subject 1 then yelled out, “Get back, get back. I’m gonna go to the back.” 16
Officer G related that Subject 1 dropped the knife down towards the officers and stepped
forwards in one momentum in and effort to head towards the back of the house. As soon
as Subject 1 did this, Officer G heard two tasers “pop” and then heard several gunshots.
Officer G added that, when he was talking with Subject 1, he was displaying his hands to
Subject 1 to show him that he had no taser or weapon. Further, Officer G related that he
received Crisis Intervention Training and was applying his training to this situation.
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Attachment 50, Page 31, Lines 13-14
Attachment 50, Page 31, Lines 14-16
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Attachment 44, Page 20, Lines 30-32
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Attachment 48, Page 12, Lines 24-27
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In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 08 April 2014, Witness Officer I
related, in essence, the same information as his partner, Officer D. Officer I added that
once they entered into the residence he observed the subject, now known to be Subject 1,
standing in the kitchen holding a knife. Officer I learned from other officers that there
were family members located in the rear of the residence. Officer I heard officers give
Subject 1 verbal directions to put the knife down in English and in Spanish. Officer I
related he did not have a clear view into the kitchen, nor could he see down the hallway
where the family members were located. Officer I heard Subject 1 state, “Stay the fuck
back. Stay back….I’m gonna fuckin’ go in the back. I’m gonna go back there. I’m
gonna go back there.” 17 Officer I related that verbal exchanges between the officers and
Subject 1 continued for several minutes, until Officer I simultaneously heard a “pop” and
a “volley of shots”. Due to Officer I’s vantage point, he did not see Subject 1 run to the
rear of the residence.
In a digitally recorded statement to IPRA on 08 April 2014, Officer H related that
when he arrived on the scene, he made his way into the kitchen and observed the subject,
now known to be Subject 1, holding a large knife to his neck. Officer H stated to Subject
1, “You know this isn’t good for your family….Why don’t you just put the knife down
and let’s end this…peacefully.” 18 However, Subject 1 ignored Officer H. As soon as an
officer entered the kitchen with a taser and pointed it at him, Subject 1 stated, “Don’t
point that at me. If you point that at me…I’m gonna run down the hall.” 19 Officer H
related that he and the other officers then moved back and continued instructing Subject 1
to put down the knife. The officers continued to repeat this to Subject 1 until he lowered
the knife, pointed it towards Officer A and took a step towards him. Officer H related
that everything then happened simultaneously. Officer C fired his taser at Subject 1.
Subject 1 turned and then ran down the hallway and officers fired their weapons. Officer
H related that Subject 1 fell face first into a rear bedroom. Officer H ran down the
hallway and observed the family members in the other bedroom and instructed them to
leave the house. Officer H then walked into the room where Subject 1 was and observed
him still holding the knife in his hand. Officer H removed the knife from Subject 1’s
hand and radioed for an ambulance.

17

Attachment 46, Page 14, Lines 6-9
Attachment 40, Page 13, Lines 24-26
19
Attachment 40, Page 15, Lines 28-29
18

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 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1068458/U#14-11
CONCLUSION AND FINDING:
This investigation found that the use of deadly force by Officers A and B were
Justified and in compliance with Chicago Police Department policy and Illinois State
statutes. According to the Chicago Police Department’s General Order 02-08-03, 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. 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.”

Officers A and B responded to a violation of an Order of Protection at XXXX W.
50th Street. The situation escalated to the point that Subject 1 entered the residence,
grabbed a knife and held it to his throat. Officers A, B and C gave multiple verbal
directions to Subject 1 to drop the knife, but Subject 1 failed to comply. Officer G
applied the techniques that he learned from Crisis Intervention Training to calm Subject 1
down and diffuse the situation, but Subject 1 refused to listen. Subject 1 then began
stating that he was going to make his way to the rear of the residence, where several
civilians were located. As Subject 1 continued to state this, he pointed the knife towards
Officer A and stepped towards him. In fear for their lives and the lives of civilians
located inside the residence, Officers A and B fired their weapons towards Subject 1. In
addition, Officers C and D fired their tasers towards Subject 1. At no time were the
civilians in the line of fire when the officers discharged their weapons. There were
several witness officers and civilian witnesses who related in essence the same
information that Subject 1 failed to comply with the officers commands.
Summarily, the actions of these officers were in accordance with the statute and
Chicago Police Department deadly force policy “to prevent death or great bodily harm to
the sworn member or to another person,” because they reasonably believed that their lives

13

 INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW AUTHORITY
Log #1068458/U#14-11
were in danger when Subject 1 pointed a knife in the direction of Officer A and stepped
towards him.

14