Chicago police officer accidentally shoots woman dead, as teen is also killed

The department has placed the officer on administrative duty for 30 days and “extends their deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends”, Chicago police said.

In an emotional address and wearing a sweatshirt that said “Rahm Killed Us”, an apparent reference to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, Cooksey recalled her son’s participation in a charity marathon previous year and his time time spent on the honor roll.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office on Sunday also listed the manner of both deaths as homicides.

Emanuel’s office issued a statement late Saturday that said IPRA would share its evidence with the county prosecutor’s office.

Other details, such as how many shots were fired, were not released by authorities.

A police statement said that on arriving in response early yesterday morning to the disturbance, “officers were confronted by a combative subject resulting in the discharging of the officer’s weapon, fatally wounding two individuals”. It added the “female victim was accidentally struck”.

A Chicago police video of the fatal shooting of another black teenager sparked protests last month, with activists demanding the resignation of Emanuel, a former chief of staff to President Barack Obama. He directed the heads of the review authority and police department to come up with improved steps in training that can be taken immediately.

Nineteen-year-old Quintonio LeGrier was killed early Saturday by police responding to a domestic disturbance.

Moments later, LeGrier said he saw his son and Jones lying in the foyer, according to the Associated Press.

Standing outside a modest home with beige siding and white-trimmed windows, several other people echoed Cooksey’s sentiments. They sang, prayed, lit candles and laid flowers at the West Erie Street home in West Garfield Park.

Family spokesman Eric Russell said Jones’ many grandchildren had hoped to thank her for their Christmas gifts over the weekend. “The police have failed us”.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department announced an investigation into the Chicago Police Department’s use of deadly force and officer discipline. Angry demonstrators and family members held a news conference Sunday accusing police of a pattern of violence against blacks in the city.

A Post investigation published Saturday showed that 965 people were shot and killed by police this year.

Cooksey, who was not present at the time of the shooting, told the Chicago Tribune that her son had been dealing with mental issues, but said police didn’t have to react the way they did.

“[Why must police] shoot first and ask questions later?” Police should use stun guns or other nonlethal methods instead, Walker said at a news conference outside the West Side residence where the victims lived. The home is split into two apartments. Relatives, including children of Bettie Jones, who was a grandmother of 10, were at the building crying and embracing each other. It isn’t clear how many officers responded or how many times the pair were shot. LeGrier was also fatally shot. Relatives said they believe Jones was behind the 19-year-old and by the entrance to her apartment when the shooting began.

Antonio LeGrier said police later told him that Quintonio LeGrier was shot seven times, and that he had called 911 before his father did.

High-profile killings of black men by police officers since mid-2014 have brought on waves of protest – including in Chicago, the country’s third-largest city – and fueled a civil rights movement under the name Black Lives Matter.

My wife’s aunt, Bettie Jones, was shot and killed today by Chicago Police.

IPRA spokesman Larry Merritt declined comment on the shooting. The 19-year-old NIU student home for the holidays was angry, emotionally out of control and threatening his dad with the bat.

Relatives said Bettie Jones lived downstairs from Quintonio LeGrier, the 19-year-old subject of the initial call to police, who also was killed by the officer. He was an engineering student at Northern Illinois University, so she disputes that.

Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel released a statement on Saturday night.

In a statement later on Sunday, Emanuel called for a review of the police Crisis Intervention Team and improved guidance for officers handling cases where the mental health of a person is a factor.