Prosecutors on Saturday gave a detailed account of what triggered the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo by a Chicago police officer, while a judge posted $ 150,000 bail for the 21-year-old man who was at the was a teenager.
Ruben Roman, who was represented by a public defender at a Cook County Bond Court hearing, was charged with reckless use of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a criminal, and endangering children.
Prosecutors for the Cook County District Attorney have revealed that in the early morning hours of March 29, Ramon captured 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, prosecutors said.
Chicago police, responding to a ShotSpotter alert that detected eight shots of gunfire, observed two men fleeing an alleyway, after which officers left 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 the 13-year-old stopped at a break in a wooden fence, 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.
The 13-year-old’s right hand tested positive for powder residue, according to Murphy. 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 the police camera video showing the encounter. Lawyers representing Adam’s family said in a statement Friday that the family will watch “the police body’s camera video and other related material” pertaining to the shooting next week.
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.
The legal team has not specified a specific date.
Following Saturday’s court hearing, the Toledo family lawyers said they are aware of the details presented by prosecutors regarding Roman’s case.
“Until we have seen all the videos and examined the evidence ourselves, we cannot comment,” the lawyers help.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, speaking at an unrelated event on Saturday, revealed she had recently spoken to Toledo’s mother. The mayor also called for peaceful protests following the release of the video, which she says will be viewed by Toledo’s mother “ early next week. ”
“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.