At the request of the family of Adam Toledo, Chicago’s Civil Bureau of Police Responsibility will “not immediately” release a video showing the fatal shooting of the 13-year-old teenager by a Chicago police officer late last month.
Toledo’s family was shown video footage of the shooting on Tuesday night, and at the request of the family, they will not disclose the footage, or other material such as 911 calls and witness statements, to the public, COPA officials said.
“At the request of the Toledo family, COPA will not immediately release videos and other material today as the family continues to mourn their loss,” the office said in a statement.
Officials also said they would not rule out the exclusion of the footage in the coming weeks.
“COPA has advised family representatives that COPA has the mandate to comply with the City’s video release policy, although it is very sensitive to the family’s grief and their desire to avoid public release of material related to Adam’s tragic death, said the office.
The office did not specify what material or information would eventually be disclosed in the case. Under the COPA policy, the video of incidents involving individuals under the age of 18 is usually not released, but amid calls to release the recording, the agency said it would consider body camera and other release footage within the 60-day period assigned. according to law and office policy.
“Investigators have obtained police reports, ShotSpotter, OEMC transfer 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,” attorney Joel Hirschhorn said in a statement. “We want to thank COPA for giving the Toledo family the opportunity to review videos and other evidence from the camera before it was released.”
Lawyers say they are continuing their own investigation into the shooting, and say the family will not comment further at this time.
Lawyers also thank members of the public for their support.
“However, we would like to take this opportunity to express the family’s sincere appreciation for the mercy and respect shown by the community, Chicago authorities and the media for their suffering as they mourn the loss of their child,” the statement.
Prosecutors described the incident in the video over the weekend as a judge who pledged $ 21,000 to the 21-year-old man who was with the teenager during the fatal shooting.
Ruben Roman, who was represented by a public defender during a mortgage trial in Cook County, is charged with reckless dismissal of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a criminal and child intimidation.
Prosecutors at the Cook County State Attorney’s Office revealed that the video fired Ramon before the Little Village shooting in the early hours of March 29.
After a number of shots were fired, Ramon and Toledo, according to prosecutors, ran north into Sawyer Avenue near 24th Street and entered a street.
Chicago police officers, who responded to a ShotSpotter warning that fired eight rounds, spotted two men in an alley who fled, after which officers left their patrol vehicle and pursued both individuals, the Murphy said.
One officer arrested Roman, who according to prosecutors threw red gloves on the ground during his arrest.
The gloves tested positive for shooting residue, Murphy said.
The family of Adam Toledo, the 13-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a Chicago police officer late last month, held a funeral for the teenager on Friday. Sandra Torres, reports NBC 5.
The other officer chased Toledo and repeatedly told him to stop, and eventually Toledo stopped near a break in a wooden fence, prosecutors said. Toledo, who was looking at the officer with his left hand and holding his hand to his right, was ordered by the officer to show his hands, Murphy said.
The officer told the teenager to “drop, drop,” while Toledo, with a gun in his right hand, turned to the officer, prosecutors said. The officer opened fire and hit the teenager once in the chest. The prosecutor said the gun that Toledo was holding landed a few feet away.
The officer called for medical help and did Toledo, who died at the scene,’s chest compressions.
According to Murphy, the teenager’s right hand tested positive for shooting debris. Prosecutors said the casings of the shots fired, where Roman fired shots, matched the 9-millimeter pistol found near Toledo.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, Chicago’s police surveillance agency, is leading the investigation into the shooting. The officers involved were placed on administrative duties for 30 days in accordance with Chicago police policy.
Indignation has enveloped the city since the fatal shooting at police, with the teenager’s family and supporters calling for the immediate release of a police camera showing the encounter.
People in Chicago’s Little Village community came forward and asked for answers to the death of a 13-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a police officer earlier this week. NBC 5’s Vi Nguyen reports.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at an unrelated event on Saturday that she spoke to Toledo’s mother recently.
“I think the Toledo family has explicitly called for peace. This is an extremely difficult moment for them,” Lightfoot said. “There is, of course, considerable interest in the video. I think it will only help to disillusion many urban myths that have arisen in the void. But I want to make it clear. From what has been described to me, this is going to to be a very difficult video for people to watch. ”
Chicago police leaders canceled days off for officers next week as they prepared for possible protests.