Officer Accused of Fatally Shooting Kajuan Raye Relieved of Police Powers

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago Police have relieved an officer accused of shooting and killing a 19-year-old on the South Side late Wednesday of his police powers, effectively taking the most serious disciplinary action against the sergeant.

"After considerable deliberation over the evidence and available facts including: preliminary information from detectives; the unsuccessful canvas for a weapon; and last night's preliminary findings from the Medical Examiner, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has relieved the involved officer of his police powers pending the completion of the IPRA's case," police said in a statement.

Below is the full statement issued by police:

The unnamed sergeant who shot Kajuan Raye said the teen twice pointed a weapon at him during a foot chase — but police have been unable to find a weapon after an extensive search. Raye, 19, of south suburban Dolton, died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The sergeant was responding to a report of a battery in progress in the 1400 block of West 65th Street in Englewood around 11 p.m. He encountered Raye, who matched a description of the attacker, and Raye ran after the sergeant identified himself, according to police.

The police sergeant reportedly fired his weapon after the second time Raye pointed a gun at him, reports the Chicago Tribune and DNAinfo Chicago.

Police searched the area of 65th Street and Marshfield Avenue with a dog, flashlights, and rakes in what they described as a "grid search" but were unable to find a weapon.

Image via Shutterstock

Patch will update this report.