(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Chicago police officer who shot and killed a man during a foot chase last year may be stripped of his badge after a vote Thursday night.
It was a close vote by the Chicago Police Board to remove Officer Fernando Ruiz, who shot and killed Reginald Clay Jr. in Garfield Park on April 15, 2023. Body camera video shows the 24-year-old holding a gun and potentially setting it on a porch as Ruiz shoots him.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) recommended Ruiz be discharged after it said he violated the police department’s foot pursuit policy, failed to activate his body camera in a timely manner and failed to use de-escalation techniques.
Superintendent Larry Snelling wants a two-day suspension instead. Ruiz can ask for arbitration or a hearing before the full police board.
Days after the shooting, the family of Clay filed a lawsuit over the shooting. After seeing the body camera video, his father said the shooting was “reckless” and that officers had “no reason at all” to chase his son.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok