THE LOOP (WBBM Newsradio) -- Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson urged the city to continue to pray for the family of a police officer killed in a shooting at a Northwest side hospital, and said the suspect's record shows that the criminal justice is in "constant need" of reform.
The mayor made those comments at the beginning of an hour-long town hall meeting televised and streamed Tuesday afternoon by ABC-owned WLS-TV (Channel 7) and produced at the station's studios, 190 N. State St. In response to opening questions from anchors Terrell Brown and Judy Hsu, the mayor said many details about the suspect in last weekend's shooting at Swedish Hospital that killed Officer John Bartholomew are still being unpacked, including why he was not in custody even though he missed a court hearing in a previous case and violated terms of his electronic monitor numerous times.
"It's always ripe for us to be open to how we can ensure the system is working fairly for all," the mayor said. "I don't think there's a debate around the penal system ... the justice system and its inability to hold all of the complexity that exists within our society."
But the mayor said he's focusing on what he can control, which includes making sure suspects are held accountable and that police officers are supported.
"Officer Bartholomew, like all of our police officers and our first responders ... they show up every day and they prevent harm," the mayor continued.
The mayor fielded more than 20 questions from community groups invited to take part in the town hall.
Johnson tells town hall audience details about suspect 'being unpacked'
Johnson tells town hall audience details about suspect 'being unpacked'
