CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) released surveillance footage Thursday that shows an off-duty police officer shoot and kill a man who allegedly tried to steal her weapon in Chicago’s Brainerd neighborhood.
The shooting happened near the 1300 block of West 90th Street on Jan. 18 around 1 p.m., according to Chicago police.
Video shows the off-duty officer, identified as Chicago Police Officer Precious Dunn, interrupt what appears to be an altercation between four people. Authorities at the time stated Dunn was attempting to stop a robbery.
The footage shows three of the individuals walking away from Dunn. One person, identified as 39-year-old Leevon Smith, stays behind and is seen talking with the off-duty officer.
As Dunn starts walking away, the video shows Smith grab her from behind. A struggle ensues. In the police report shared by COPA, officials accused Smith of “grabbing [Dunn’s] firearm that was on her person in an attempt to disarm her.”
Three gunshots can be heard on surveillance footage as Dunn and Smith struggle. A police report showed Smith was shot in the left hand and abdomen.
After the shooting, Dunn can be heard yelling for bystanders to call 911. One of the recordings shared from COPA shows Dunn calling 911 herself.
“This is Officer Dunn,” she said. “I just got robbed, and I shot the man.”
While Dunn was on the phone with 911, she can be heard telling the dispatcher that EMS has arrived on the scene. Surveillance video shows EMS arriving almost seven minutes after the shooting.
No one administered first aid to Smith prior to the arrival of first responders.
Smith was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where was initially listed in critical condition. He later died from his injuries.
A police report from the shooting shows Dunn was hospitalized with a laceration above her right eye, which required surgery.
Following the shooting, Dunn was placed on administrative leave for 30 days. A spokesperson for COPA told WBBM that while this material has been released as part of a transparency effort, the full investigation and recommendation could take up to 18 months.
All of the materials made available by COPA can be found here.
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