At the request of Adam Toledo’s family, Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability will “not immediately” release a video showing the fatal shooting of the 13-year-old teen by a Chicago police officer late last month.
The Toledo family was shown video footage of the Tuesday night shooting, and at the request of the family, they will not release the footage, or other material such as 911 calls and witness statements, to the public at this time, COPA officials said.
“At the request of the Toledo family, COPA will not immediately release video and other material today as the family continues to mourn their loss,” the office said in a statement.
Officials also said they will not rule out the release of the images in the coming weeks.
COPA has informed family representatives that, while acutely sensitive to the family’s grief and their desire to avoid public publication of material related to Adam’s tragic death, COPA has a mandate to comply with video release policies. from the city, ”the office said.
The office did not specify what images or information would eventually be released in the case. Under COPA policy, videos of incidents involving individuals under the age of 18 are usually not released, but amid calls for the footage to be released, the agency had said it would consider releasing body cameras and other footage within the prescribed period of 60 days. according to law and office policy.
“Investigators have obtained police reports, ShotSpotter, OEMC transmission and 911 call, audio recordings and other pertinent evidence,” COPA officials said.
“The experience was extremely difficult and heartbreaking for everyone in attendance, and especially for Adam’s family,” attorney Joel Hirschhorn said in a statement. “We would like to thank COPA for giving the Toledo family the opportunity to view body camera video and other evidence before it goes public.”
Lawyers say they are continuing their own investigation into the shooting and said the family would have no further comments at this time.
Lawyers also thanked members of the public for their support.
“However, we would like to take this opportunity to express the family’s deep appreciation for the grace and respect that the community, the Chicago authorities and the media have shown for their suffering while mourning the loss of their child. “was the statement.
Prosecutors had described the events in the weekend’s video when a judge placed a $ 150,000 bail for the 21-year-old man who was with the teenager at the time of the deadly shooting.
Ruben Roman, who was represented by a public defender at a Cook County Bond Court hearing, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated a criminal’s unlawful use of a weapon, and endangering children.
Prosecutors for the Cook State District Attorney have revealed that in the early morning hours of March 29, Ramon captured a video firing shots prior to the Little Village shooting.
After several shots were fired, Ramon and Toledo ran north on Sawyer Avenue near 24th Street and entered an alley, according to prosecutors.
Chicago police, responding to a ShotSpotter alert that detected eight shots of gunfire, observed two men fleeing in an alleyway, after which agents exited their patrol vehicle and chased both individuals, said James Murphy, Cook County Assistant State attorney.
An officer arrested Roman, whom prosecutors said had dropped red gloves on the floor during his arrest.
Those gloves tested positive for powder 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 teen on Friday. Sandra Torres of NBC 5 reports.
The other officer chased Toledo repeatedly telling him to stop, and eventually Toledo stopped at a break in a wooden gate, prosecutors said. Toledo, standing with his left side to the officer and his hand to his right, was ordered by the officer to show his hands, Murphy said.
The officer told the teen to “drop, drop,” while Toledo, gun in right hand, turned to the officer, prosecutors said. The officer opened fire and punched the teenager once in the chest. The gun that held Toledo landed a few feet away, prosecutors said.
The officer sought medical attention and began performing chest compressions on Toledo, who died on the spot, authorities said.
According to Murphy, the teen’s right hand tested positive for powder residue. Fired grenade casings from close by where Roman shots matched the 9-millimeter pistol recovered near Toledo, prosecutors said.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the Chicago Police Department, is leading the investigation into the shooting. The agents involved have been placed on administrative duties for 30 days in accordance with Chicago Police Department policy.
Outrage has surrounded the city since the deadly police shooting, with the teen’s family and supporters calling for the immediate release of a police camera video showing the encounter.
People in Chicago’s Little Village community came out Saturday demanding answers to the death of a 13-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a police officer earlier this week. NBC’s Vi Nguyen Reports 5.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, speaking at an unrelated event on Saturday, revealed she had recently spoken to Toledo’s mother.
“I think the Toledo family has openly called for peace. Obviously, this is a very, very difficult time for them,” said Lightfoot. “There is clearly a lot of interest in the video. I think it will only help debunk a lot of urban myth that has surfaced in the void. But I want to be clear. Very difficult video for people to watch. ”
Chicago police leaders canceled days off next week for officers preparing for possible demonstrations.