Body-worn camera video released by the Chicago Police Department's official oversight agency shows Officer Krystal Rivera was shot and killed by her partner after a foot chase into a South side apartment, and attorneys for Rivera's family have renewed their calls for an independent investigation into her death.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) released video and other material Friday connected to what CPD has described as the "friendly fire" shooting death of Officer Rivera by Officer Carlos Baker. The recordings show Rivera and Baker chasing a suspect up a flight of stairs and into an apartment near 82nd and Drexel in Auburn Gresham in June of 2025, when Baker appears to duck out of a doorway and his service weapon goes off, hitting Rivera.
The COPA materials can be found at this link.VIDEO AND AUDIO ARE UNCENSORED AND GRAPHIC IN NATURE. IT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES. DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 president John Catanzara posted a video on social media Friday claiming that Baker's video showed him encountering a man with a rifle inside the apartment, and his weapon going off accidentally as he backpedaled out of the apartment ... hitting Rivera, who was behind him on the stairs.
"He lost his balance as he turned to get out of the way and that's when the trigger was tragically squeezed," Catanzara said on the video. "Everyone can see for themselves what a tragic series of events this was."
Attorneys for Rivera's relatives have sued Baker and the city, citing numerous misconduct complaints against Baker in his time on the force, and suggesting that the shooting came after Rivera had broken off their romantic relationship. Following the release of the video, the Romanucci and Blandin law firm released a statement which in part claimed that COPA did not release all relevant body-cam video.
"What has been released is a curated narrative meant to invent a false truth," the law firm statement said. "We do not have confidence that this investigation is being handled in a fair and objective manner. We call for an independent investigation into Krystal's death and the CPD conduct that has followed."
A statement from Baker's attorney Timothy Grace calls "reckless" suggestions that the shooting was tied to any kind of domestic dispute, and goes on to say that Baker "did everything within his power and training to render aid
"The video speaks for itself," Grace's statement said.
A police News Affairs spokesperson released a statement saying in part that CPD is cooperating with the COPA investigation, and that Baker is assigned to a unit within the department that handles non-emergency calls.
"Our hearts remain with fallen Officer Krystal Rivera's family," the statement said.
Krystal Rivera killed by 'friendly fire;' family suing city
Krystal Rivera killed by 'friendly fire;' family suing city
