Chicago police escort daughter of fallen officer to first day of school
CHICAGO — Dozens of Chicago police officers escorted the daughter of a fallen officer to her first day of school.In a video posted on CPD social media, Maddy Marmolejo, along with her mother and sister, walked into school Tuesday at Morgan Park Academy.
Chicago police say gun violence lower despite weekend deaths
CHICAGO — Chicago police said despite five people being fatally shot in less than 24 hours during Labor Day weekend, gun violence in the city is declining.Among the fatalities was a 15-year-old boy found early Sunday, Sept. 1 on a sidewalk with wounds in his leg and back.Police said the night of violence began Saturday evening in the West Englewood neighborhood, where two men, ages 32 and 26, were fatally shot as they sat on a front porch.
New online tool to track Chicago gun suspects draws fire
CHICAGO — After a recent bloody weekend in Chicago, the city's top police officer reiterated something he's said many times in recent months: People accused of gun-related offenses are too quickly and easily getting back on the street.This time, Superintendent Eddie Johnson unveiled a new online tool aimed at illustrating his point by giving the public a quick way to see who's been arrested on gun-related charges and whether they have posted bail."If we're OK with how things are going, then don't look at it," Johnson said as he announced the Gun Offender Dashboard. "But if you want to know why we are suffering from some of the things we are, then take a look at it and come to your own conclusions."The tool is part of a public relations offensive to draw attention to what Johnson and Mayor Lori Lightfoot say is a cause of gun violence in Chicago, where more people are fatally shot than in any other city in the U.S.But critics decry it as a scare tactic that lumps people arrested while carrying or even standing near a gun with those who have pulled them out and used them.
Man dies trying to save girl swept into Lake Michigan, police say
CHICAGO — A man died Thursday trying to save an 11-year-old girl who was swept into Lake Michigan while standing on a cement break wall, police said.The 35-year-old man jumped in and tried to reach the girl, but ended up sinking in the choppy, churning water.
At least 46 shot across Chicago over the weekend; youngest victim an 8-year-old girl
CHICAGO -- At least 46 people were shot across Chicago this weekend (Aug. 9-11), and the youngest victim was an 8-year-old girl.Four of those 46 people were killed, WGN reported.Abrianna Barron, 8, was at a family barbecue Sunday, Aug. 11 when she was shot in leg after occupants of a blue Dodge Charger fired shots on the 1000 block of N.
'This girl is a fighter:' Rescue dog saved from waters of Lake Michigan
CHICAGO – A 3-year-old rescue dog missing since Saturday is back with her owner after a marine rescue unit pulled her from the waters of northern Lake Michigan Monday.Witnesses called 911 after spotting a dog swimming about a quarter mile outside of Montrose Harbor Monday morning.Chicago officers Jen Terzich and Emmanuel Ordaz Jimenez, serving his third day on the force, were first to the scene.
5-year-old credited with saving 13 from Chicago house fire
CHICAGO — A 5-year-old boy was credited with saving 13 people from a Chicago house fire.Residents said Jayden Espinosa awoke to smoke and flames just before 4 a.m. Saturday, July 27 and alerted others to the danger.Seven adults and six children who lived in the 2 1/2-story brick home in the Back of the Yards neighborhood were left homeless.
3 girls arrested in 'beyond disturbing' attack on 15-year-old with special needs
CHICAGO — Three juvenile girls have been arrested in connection with an attack on a 15-year-old girl with special needs that was captured on video.Police said the girls are 13, 14 and 15 years old.
Chicago PD: Girl beaten by teens in video may have been sexually assaulted
Warning: Some viewers may find this video disturbingCHICAGO — Video surfaced on social media Monday, July 22 showing a group of teens in Chicago beating a 15-year-old girl with disabilities, according to police.The recording shows the girl screaming as the teens strike her repeatedly; some of the teens can be heard laughing in the background.Chicago police said the girl was missing for five days before the video was shared and police were contacted.Police said the girl may have also been sexually assaulted while she was missing."This is beyond disturbing to watch and this young girl deserves far better," Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a tweet. "This clip has been forwarded to the #ChicagoPolice Special Victims Unit and a criminal investigation has been opened."The girl was located Tuesday night and taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released.
Chicago family says their home has been raided by police 3 times - by mistake
CHICAGO — A family said Chicago police have raided their South Side home several times - by mistake.Krystal Archie and her children said the raids have happened three times in four months.
Woman in critical condition after face and neck slashed in attack near DePaul University
CHICAGO — A woman is in critical condition after she was found bleeding with her face and neck slashed near DePaul University.Just before 4 a.m. Thursday, Chicago police responded to a call of an aggravated battery in Lincoln Park.
'Gone in 30 seconds:' 2 of 10 suspects in custody for mob shoplifting incident at North Face store
PLEASANT PRAIRIE -- Ten individuals stand accused in a case of mob shoplifting at the North Face store at Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets.
'Chance the Snapper:' Alligator living in Humboldt Park Lagoon in Chicago captured
CHICAGO — Police say an expert from Florida has captured an elusive alligator in a Chicago public lagoon.Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says the Humboldt Park gator was caught humanely early Tuesday and is in good health.The reptile, nicknamed "Chance the Snapper," was first spotted last week and photos soon started showing up online.
6-year-old superhero captures nemesis at Navy Pier, gets thanks from the mayor
CHICAGO — With the help of Make-A-Wish volunteers and Chicago police, a young boy helped save the city from villains Sunday, June 9, creating a life-changing experience for the 6-year-old hero.Citizens at Navy Pier looked to Chicago's newest superhero, Galacto (AKA Finn Kuzniar), to catch notorious bank robber “T-Storm.” With the help of Chicago police, Galacto defeated the bad guy.He even got thanks from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPD Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.Asked about his nemesis during an interview after his heroics, Galacto said of T-Storm: "Now, he's my friend." With good reason.
Chicago police: Woman fatally shot while holding baby used her body to shield child
CHICAGO — A 24-year-old woman shot as she held a baby on Chicago's Northwest Side Tuesday morning, May 28 shielded the child with her body, police said, and later died from her wounds.According to police, the woman was holding a 1-year-old baby girl believed to be her own as she spoke with acquaintances on the 1200 Block of North Mason Avenue Tuesday morning.
Chicago officer recorded asking teen for sex is fired
CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer who allegedly asked a 17-year-old girl for sex in return for getting her mother's impounded car released by the city has been fired.The Chicago Tribune reports that the city's police board agreed with Superintendent Eddie Johnson's recommendation to fire Officer Darius Alexander in a 9-0 vote after hearing conversations secretly recorded by the teen that confirmed Alexander was soliciting her and a friend for sex.In firing Alexander, the board criticized the police department for taking more than six years to bring disciplinary charges against Alexander.
Jury acquits man accused of killing, dismembering 2-year-old dumped in Chicago lagoon
CHICAGO — A Cook County jury acquitted an Illinois man accused of killing a 2-year-old boy, dismembering his body and dumping his remains in Chicago's Garfield Park Lagoon.Kamel Harris, 44, was found not guilty on Thursday in the gruesome 2015 death of 2-year-old Kyrian Knox.In August of 2015, Kyrian's mother had given the boy to Harris, the father of a friend, for a couple of weeks while she and a friend tried to find jobs in Iowa in hopes of moving there, according to the Chicago Tribune.Harris took the stand in his own defense Wednesday and said he gave Kyrian to three people after speaking by phone to a woman he believed to be the boy's mother.The toddler's body was found weeks later in the lagoon after someone saw a foot floating in the water.Harris' attorney repeatedly said that there was no forensic evidence tying his client to the crime.The boy's mother, Lanisha Knox, wailed in the courtroom after hearing the jury's verdict, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
State not alerted for weeks that woman may not be baby's mom
CHICAGO — Illinois' child welfare agency says more than two weeks passed before it was alerted that a woman taken to a Chicago-area hospital with a gravely ill newborn may not be his mother, even though she arrived bloodied and showed no signs of giving birth.Clarisa Figueroa is charged with killing 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez.
Mother, daughter, boyfriend charged: Police say missing pregnant woman strangled, baby cut from womb
CHICAGO -- Three people were charged after a missing pregnant woman was found dead on Chicago’s Southwest Side.Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson and police officials announced Thursday afternoon, May 16 that three people were charged in connection to the death of 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Uriostegui.