Man Charged In Slaying Of Chicago Police Officer At Swedish Hospital To Appear In Court

CHICAGO—A man accused of killing a Chicago police officer and critically wounding another at a North Side hospital over the weekend has been formally charged and will appear for a pre-detention hearing Monday afternoon.

The deceased officer was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner as John Bartholomew, 38, a 10-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. A 57-year-old officer was critically wounded and is fighting for his life.

Alphanso Talley, 26, is facing a litany of felony charges for the hospital double shooting, including:

• One felony count - Murder - First Degree
• One felony count - Attempt - Murder - First Degree
• One felony count - Aggravated Kidnapping/Armed
• Two felony counts - Aggravated Battery/Great Bodily Harm
• One felony count - Aggravated Battery/Discharge Firearm
• One felony count - Aggravated Battery/Peace Officer
• One felony count - Aggravated Discharge Firearm - Occupied BLDG
• One felony count - Escape - Felon from Peace Officer
• Three felony counts - Aggravated Unlawful Restraint
• Two felony counts - Robbery - Armed W/Firearm
• Two felony counts - UUW - Weapon - Felon Posses Weapon/2nd+
• Two felony counts - POSS Firearm Repeat FEL OFFEN
• One felony count - Obstruction of Justice/Destroy Evidence
• One felony count - ID Card - Possess Fraudulent ID Card
• Three Issuance of Warrant

Talley is also charged in connection with an armed robbery that occurred earlier in the day in the 3200 block of West Lawrence Avenue, in the 17th Police District, where both officers were assigned.

According to police, Talley, whose last known address was near 76th Street and South Shore Avenue, was in custody for the armed robbery. He was receiving treatment at Swedish Hospital, 5140 N. California Ave., when he used a gun to shoot both officers.

Talley then fled the hospital and was captured less than a two hours later in the surrounding neighborhood, police said.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said the suspect had been in custody for an unrelated robbery when the shooting occurred around 10:50 a.m. Saturday.

Swedish Hospital was locked down and closed following the shooting but said it had reopened as of around 5 p.m. Saturday.

At the time of the shooting, Talley was on pre-trial electronic monitoring for a carjacking, but the device ceased transmitting in March. He was also wanted on three warrants, WGN reported.

In a written statement, Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling called the weekend’s hospital shooting a “stark and heartbreaking reminder” of the dangers Chicago police officers face on the job.

The offender responsible for the murder of our fallen officer and the attempted murder of our critically injured officer has been charged. Though this does not bring solace to this tragedy, it does bring the first step in accountability.

I want to thank every officer who quickly responded to take this offender into custody and every detective who worked tirelessly during this investigation to secure charges.

I ask that everyone continue to hold the family of our fallen officer in your hearts during this unimaginable time. We must also support and pray for our injured officer, who is still fighting for his life. I also want to acknowledge the men and women of the 17th District, where these officers worked.

This shooting was a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our officers face all too often on this job. I encourage every Chicagoan to join us in supporting our officers and their families in these difficult days ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to extend support and offer condolences. Your words have been a comfort to our grieving Chicago Police Department family.

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling