Police said the officer, a six-year veteran of CPD, was shot multiple times.
A Chicago police officer shot and killed on his way home after a shift early Sunday was “the victim of the type of crime he was working on,” the Chicago police chief said.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference Sunday morning that the slain 30-year-old officer was shot multiple times and his car was taken.
The officer, whose name was not immediately released, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.
Snelling said detectives are investigating whether the officer was shot during the carjacking.
“We can't confirm that at this time, but detectives are investigating. What we do know is that the officer's vehicle was taken,” Snelling said. “However, further information is needed to determine the full motive behind what happened and our criminal division is working on that.”
No arrests have been announced.
The shooting occurred around 2:53 a.m. on West 56th Street near South Kedzie Avenue in the Gage Park neighborhood, police said. Officers responding to a gunshot alert found a fatally wounded officer lying on the ground outside with multiple gunshot wounds, the statement said.
Snell said the officer, a six-year CPD veteran, was wearing his uniform and a jacket over it when he was shot.
“Our officers were on their way home from work,” Snelling said. “While returning home, the officer was shot multiple times.''
According to CPD, the shooting occurred in the 8th Police Precinct in the southwest part of the city.
“He worked hard to protect his community and keep people safe, and today that officer was the victim of the type of crime he was working to keep people in this city safe. “Snelling said. “There's a lot of violent crime here, people who have the brazenness and cowardice to go about their days and commit acts of violence against the decent, hard-working people of this city who are just trying to live their lives. Right. We have to find a way to stop it.”
Snelling said the officer has a mother and an uncle.
“He was just a great officer, a great human being, and his family is going through a terrible time right now. Our condolences go out to the family. We really need to keep the family and his mother in our prayers.” ,” Snelling said. “These are senseless, senseless crimes that cost the lives of members of our community. Today, one of our police officers.”
