COPA RELEASES VIDEO & MATERIALS OF FATAL OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING ON THE 4800 BLOCK OF SOUTH LAVERGNE AVENUE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2020
Today, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) released video and other materials (WEBSITE HERE) the fatal officer-involved shooting that took place on September 5, 2020 on the 4800 block of South Lavergne Avenue.
Materials posted on COPA’s website are being made available 26 days after the incident. Today’s release is consistent with COPA’s commitment to transparency and in advance of the City’s 60-Day Video Release Policy. Materials include numerous body-worn footage, OEMC transmission and 911 calls, as well as Case Incident and Tactical Response Reports which can be viewed by visiting https://www.chicagocopa.org/case/2020-4177/.
Early reports indicate officers from the 8th District responded to the area in search of a suspect believed to have stabbed an individual. Officers located an individual matching the description in Vittum Park and repeatedly gave commands to drop the knife. Officers deployed a Taser to subdue the individual temporarily to no avail.
The individual then attacked one of the officers, and proceeded to stab her numerous times. Two officers fired their weapons, fatally wounding the individual. The officer who was stabbed was wearing a protective ballistic vest and not seriously injured.
COPA’s investigation into the officer’s actions, including use of deadly force, is in its early stages and will determine if the actions of the officers are in accordance with Department policy and training.
The material released today should not be interpreted that COPA has reached an investigative conclusion. COPA’s findings and recommendations, once reached, will be posted to our website and available for review by the public.
If anyone has additional information regarding this incident or relevant video, please contact 312-743-COPA (2672) or email COPA-info@chicagocopa.org
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ephraim Eaddy
Public Information Officer
312-771-3718
ephraim.eaddy@chicagocopa.org