CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday direct the Chicago Police Department to draft a new policy on foot chases following last week’s fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy in Little Village.
Police fatally shot Adam Toledo early March 29 near 24th and Sawyer after officers responded to shots fired in the area. Toledo was in an alley with a 21-year-old man, and a weapon was recovered, police said said.
Supt. David Brown would not comment on the boy’s death, which is under investigation by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). He stressed, however, that police must make “split second” decisions on the use of deadly force.
“That is a heavy burden,” said Brown, who has viewed police body cam video of the incident.
Lightfoot said it is time for CPD to examine the issue of foot chases and how officers should respond, given all of the variables they may encounter.
“It is one of the most dangerous things that they engage in,” the mayor said. “They often get separated from their partner. Communication is difficult. You’re running through a dense urban environment — an alley, a street, a back yard. So, it’s way past time that we reckon with this reality.”
Lightfoot also said she wants to know who would give a gun to a minor like Toledo.
Toledo's identity was not released until several hours after his death. Supt. Brown said the boy did not have an ID on him and the adult with him gave police a false identity.
Related
