At the request of Adam Toledo’s family, the Chicago Civil Police Liability Office “will not immediately release” a video showing the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy by a Chicago police officer in late of last month.
Video footage of the shooting was shown to the Toledo family on Tuesday night and, at the family’s request, the images and other materials such as 911 calls and witness statements will not be released to the public, officials said. the CUP.
“At the request of the Toledo family, today the COPA will not immediately publish videos and other materials, as the family continues to mourn their loss,” the office said in a statement.
Officials also said they will not rule out releasing the images in the coming weeks.
“The COPA has advised family representatives that while it is very sensitive to the family’s grief and their desire to prevent the public release of materials related to the tragic death of Adam, the COPA has the mandate to comply with the city’s video publishing policy, ”the office said.
The office did not specify what images or information would be published in the case. According to COPA policy, the video of incidents related to people under the age of 18 is not usually published, but amid requests for the release of the images, the agency had said it would consider releasing body camera and other images within 60 days required by law and office policy.
“Investigators have obtained police reports, ShotSpotter, OEMC transmission and 911 calls, audio recordings and other relevant evidence,” COPA officials said.
“The experience was extremely difficult and heartbreaking for everyone present, and especially for Adam’s family,” lawyer Joel Hirschhorn said in a statement. “We want to thank COPA for giving the Toledo family a chance to review the body camera video and other tests before its public release.”
Lawyers say they are still doing their own investigation into the shooting and said the family would have no further comment at this time.
Lawyers also thanked the support of members of the citizenry.
“However, we want to take this opportunity to express the family’s deep appreciation for the grace and respect that the community, Chicago authorities and the media have shown for their suffering as they mourn the loss of their child.” it is said in the statement.
Prosecutors had described the facts in the video over the weekend as a judge who set a $ 150,000 bail for the 21-year-old man who was with the teen at the time of the fatal shooting.
Ruben Roman, who was represented by a public defender at a Cook County court hearing, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, illegal use of a weapon by a criminal and danger of minors.
Cook County State Attorney’s Office revealed that the video captured Ramon firing shots before the Little Village shooting in the early hours of March 29th.
After firing several shots, Ramon and Toledo ran north along Sawyer Avenue, near 24th Street, and entered the alley, according to prosecutors.
Chicago police officers, who responded to a ShotSpotter alert that detected eight shots fired, observed two men in an alley fleeing, at which point officers got out of their patrol vehicle and chased both. people, according to prosecutor James Murphy, deputy state attorney for Cook County.
An officer arrested Roman, who prosecutors said dropped red gloves to the ground during his arrest.
Those gloves tested positive for gun residue, Murphy said.
The family of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, fatally shot by a Chicago police officer late last month, held a funeral Friday for the teen. Sandra Torres, of NBC 5, reports.
The other officer chased Toledo, repeatedly telling him to stop, and finally Toledo stopped near a broken wooden fence, prosecutors said. Toledo, who was standing with his left side toward the agent and had his hand on his right side, was ordered to show his hands, Murphy said.
The officer told the teen to “drop it, drop it,” while Toledo, with a gun in his right hand, turned to the officer, according to prosecutors. The officer opened fire and hit the teen in the chest. The gun Toledo had landed a few feet away, according to prosecutors.
The officer called for medical help and began performing chest compressions in Toledo, which died at the scene, authorities reported.
The teenager’s right hand tested positive for the presence of shooting debris, according to Murphy. The gunfire fired from where Roman’s shots matched the 9-millimeter armament that was recovered near Toledo, prosecutors said.
The Civilian Police Liability Office, the Chicago police control agency, is leading the investigation into the shooting. The officers involved have been employed in administrative duties for 30 days, in accordance with the policy of the Chicago Police Department.
Outrage has surrounded the city since the deadly police shooting, with the family and supporters of the teenager calling for the immediate release of the video from the police corps camera showing the encounter.
People in the Little Village community of Chicago came out and demanded answers Saturday for the death of a 13-year-old boy who was shot dead by a police officer earlier this week. Vi Nguyen, from NBC 5, reports.
Speaking Saturday at an unrelated event, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed she recently spoke with Toledo’s mother.
“I think the Toledo family has been frankly calling for peace. This is obviously a very, very difficult time for them,” Lightfoot said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of interest in the video. I think it’ll just help dispel a lot of urban myths that have come up in a vacuum. But I want to be clear. From what I’ve been told, it was a very difficult video for people to see “.
Chicago police leaders have canceled vacation days for officers next week as they prepare for possible demonstrations.