FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2022
COPA RELEASES VIDEOS TO FAMILY OF 13-YEAR-OLD FROM OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING THROUGH FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) released to the family of the 13-year-old minor,
videos related to an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 18, 2022, near 800 N. Cicero Ave.
Materials were released to the family through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. COPA has
worked closely with the family’s representatives regarding this matter.
The incident began when members of the Chicago Police Department’s Vehicle Hijacking Task Force
Team were alerted to a vehicle suspected of being involved in a previous carjacking. Officers engaged in
a foot pursuit of one of the occupants of the vehicle. One officer discharged their firearm, striking the
minor. No weapon was recovered on scene.
In accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/1 et seq), COPA, through the City’s
Video Release Policy, is prohibited from publicly releasing video and other materials that involve juvenile
subjects. The release of applicable materials related to this case was granted to the family of the
involved minor through a FOIA request.
“While COPA is obligated to adhere to the Juvenile Court Act that prevents the public release of
materials under the City’s Video Release Policy, we see this is an opportunity to begin the conversation
regarding amendments to this law to allow for increased transparency,” said COPA Chief Administrator,
Andrea Kersten. “We are open to discussions with the General Assembly and our city elected officials to
give families of juveniles a voice when determining what materials may be released publicly by COPA.”
COPA is committed to transparency and is working diligently to complete an expeditious and thorough
investigation of this incident. Once concluded, COPA will release the Summary Report of Investigation in
accordance with Municipal Ordinance.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Rottner – Director of News Affairs
Ph: 312-720-8560 / Email: jennifer.rottner@chicagocopa.org