'Unclear' If Man Displayed Weapon When Shot By Police: COPA

CHICAGO — The Civilian Office of Police Accountability say it is unclear if a man displayed a weapon when he was shot by police during a foot pursuit Wednesday in the Irving Park neighborhood on Chicago’s Northwest Side. The man was pronounced dead on the scene.

Per department policy, the Chicago Police Department notified COPA of the officer-involved shooting on Wednesday. The incident unfolded just after 3 a.m. when police were called to Christina’s Place in the 3700 block of Kedzie Avenue. A security guard had called police when he saw a man with a gun pointing it at other people during a verbal argument outside the bar.

“COPA can confirm a weapon was recovered at the scene and body-worn camera video captures the initial interaction as well as the subsequent shooting. It is unclear, nor has it been determined by COPA, if the individual discharged his weapon at police,” said COPA First Deputy Chief Administrator, Ephraim Eaddy. “Our investigation is ongoing, investigators will continue to canvass the area and are attempting to identify and obtain additional video, as well as identify witnesses from the night of the incident. We are committed to a full and thorough investigation to determine the facts related to this incident and if the actions of the involved officers are in accordance with Department training and policy.”

COPA’s preliminary review differs from the account Chicago Police Supt. David Brown gave in a news conference on Wednesday, in which Brown said there was “an exchange of gunfire.”

The officers involved were a 12-year officer and a probationary officer, Brown said. Investigators believed both cops discharged their firearms, according to body-cam footage.

Materials related to the officer-involved shooting will be posted to the COPA website in accordance with the city’s Video Release Policy within 60 days of the incident, unless prohibited by court order.

If anyone has information or video footage related to Wednesday’s incident, please contact the COPA office at 312-746-3609 or by visiting ChicagoCOPA.org.

Related:

Man Dies In Exchange Of Gunfire With Chicago Police In Irving Park