A Chicago police officer has been placed on administrative duty after killing a 13-year-old boy in an “armed confrontation” by Chicago police officials.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s report, the teenager, Adam Toledo died on the spot when he was shot in the chest. He could not survive. He belonged to the city’s Hispanic Little Village neighborhood on the West Side.
According to the reports made public by Chicago police, officers responded to an alert that they received around 2 am about gunshots being fired.
The officers reached the premises and saw two people fleeing towards an alley, they chased them on foot. This chase resulted in a confrontation and a crossfire.
During this confrontation, the boy got shot in his chest and died on the spot. The police have recovered a weapon from the crime scene. The other partner of the deceased teenager was arrested.
Tom Ahern, a spokesperson of Chicago police called the incident an “armed confrontation” while sharing a photo of the gun recovered from the crime scene.
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown called the whole episode a deadly encounter between a juvenile and a police officer. He expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased boy and claimed that the police department would support the family beyond measures.
Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) stated in an official statement that a thorough investigation has been started to determine if the involved officer used his power in accordance with the department policy or not. He further stated that the public should have faith in the justice system and wait with patience for the final verdict.
