The Chicago FOP President is livid over the wrongful death lawsuit filed against the police department and Officer Carlos Baker over the shooting of his partner, Officer Krystal Rivera.
John Catanzara says the lawsuit is full of false, egregious, and slanderous accusations.
Including that the shooting had something to do with Rivera breaking off a relationship with Baker.
And that he left her to die.
“Accidents happen," he said in a video posted on the FOP YouTube page. "There is not always someone to blame for something that happens. This is just one of those situations. And for the family, I know these are not words you probably want to hear, but we will defend Carlos and his actions that night because he didn’t do anything intentional or wrong. Its tragic that Krystal lost her life and that’s exactly what it is.”
He said, “for those of you that think there’s a cover-up, shame the hell on you.”
Catanzara explains what he saw in the body-camera video.
He said he hopes it gets released soon, so everyone else can see that it was an accident.
He said Baker’s tactical response after he unknowingly fired a shot that hit Rivera in the back, was “spot on.”
They had been diving for cover as a rifle was pointed at them.
Catanzara said Baker didn’t know until later that he had fired his weapon.
And, he said, after the shot was fired, Baker he took cover up a stairway.
He said Baker was calling to Rivera.
And after seeing that she was down he dragged her down the stairs.
The department has called the shooting accidental.
It remains under investigation.