Samie Martinez, who is challenging Alderwoman Rossana Rodriquez (33 Ward), slammed her for characterizing an offender shot by police in Irving Park on Wednesday as a “victim.”
“I want to be very clear that in this instance: it was those who called for help while fearing a gunman that are the victims,” Martinez said in a statement. “We need to prevent the trauma that occurred here and protect ALL residents of our community, including those who are sworn to protect us.”
Rodriquez posted a “Community Safety Update” on her office’s Facebook page summarizing the shooting incident in the 3700 block of N. Troy St.
COPA
She concluded the update writing: “If any of you happen to know the victim’s family, we would greatly appreciate any efforts to put them in touch with our office so we can provide any support or assistance needed.”
Martinez said that Rodriguez should have waited for the results of an investigation by Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) before employing the victim label.
According to Police Superintendent David Brown, the man killed by police returned to a bar, Christina’s Place at 759 N. Kedzie Ave., after being earlier kicked out. The man pointed a gun at the bouncer and other people in the area, Brown said at a news conference.
A security guard working at the bar called the police. Responding officers chased the man down an alley where Brown said there was “an apparent exchange of gun(fire).”
The man, who has yet to be identified, died at the scene. Brown said that a gun equipped with an extended magazine was recovered.
On Thursday, COPA released a statement saying police engaged an individual, suspecting he was the same man who pointed a gun at people outside the bar. They chased the man on foot, giving him orders to get on the ground and stay there. The man initially complied but then began to get up. The two officers then fired.
“COPA can confirm a weapon was recovered at the scene and body-worn camera video captures the initial interaction as well as the subsequent shooting,” said COPA First Deputy Chief Administrator, Ephraim Eaddy. “It is unclear, nor has it been determined by COPA, if the individual discharged his weapon at police.”
Rodriguez defeated Deb Mell in the 2019 election. Mell is the daughter of long-time Alderman Richard Mell.
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