Chicago police shoot 13-year-old Adam Toledo in ‘gun showdown’ with Chicago police

CHICAGO (WLS) – Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot calls for bodycam video to be released after 13-year-old boy was identified as the person fatally shot by police in Little Village when police called an “armed confrontation” earlier this week.

The teenager was identified Thursday as 13-year-old Adam Toledo of Little Village by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The boy’s mother, Elizabeth Toledo, also confirmed to ABC7 that her son was the person who was shot by a Chicago police officer early Monday.

“He was so full of life,” she says. “They just took it off.”

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Toledo was overwhelmed with loss and surrounded by her family as she planned the funeral for her 13-year-old son.

“I just want justice. I just want answers… what happened? Toledo said. “I just want justice done for my son. That’s all.”

Adam Toledo was gunned down by police on Monday after an early morning Shot Spotter alert in the 2300 block of South Sawyer.

Officers said the 13-year-old was armed and fled from police with another suspect.

Toledo’s life ended in an alley after what Chicago police called an “armed confrontation.” The officer fired a shot, according to the Civil Liability Bureau of the Police (COPA).

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Police shared a photo of a gun that was reportedly recovered from the scene. A second suspect, Ruben Roman, 21, is charged in the incident with a felony for resisting an officer.

Toledo’s mother said he used to sneak around at night while she slept and filed a missing person report for her son last Thursday after noticing he was missing.

She told ABC7 that Toledo finally returned on Saturday, but left on Sunday night.

“Why did he shoot him if there are other ways?” Toledo said.

The incident was caught on a body camera, but cannot be released without a court order given Toledo’s young age, according to COPA.

A COPA spokesperson said in an updated statement Thursday evening: “COPA is currently making every effort and is seeking all legal avenues that will allow the public release of all video material that captures the tragic fatal shooting of ‘Adam Toledo, 13 years old. “

“He was a little boy. Obviously he was going to be scared,” his mother said.

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Toledo’s mother said he aspired to one day become a police officer.

The officer involved in the shooting was assigned to the office for 30 days while the Civilian Police Accountability Office investigates the shooting, police said.

COPA’S FULL STATEMENT

On March 29, 2021, the Civilian Police Accountability Office (COPA) received notification from the Chicago Police Department of a shooting incident involving a police officer near 2400 S. Sawyer. COPA investigators arrived at the scene and immediately opened an investigation.

While COPA is in the very early stages of this investigation, it was determined that officers were responding to the area following gunfire and encountered two suspects. The two fled, which was pursued on foot by officers from the Chicago Police Department. A man has been apprehended and is still in custody. The other individual who fled was shot and killed by the prosecuting officer. The officer involved discharged his gun once and the incident was captured with a body-worn camera. The deceased has been identified as Adam Toledo, who is believed to be 13 years old.

Due to the age of the victim, in the absence of a court order and under the Juvenile Courts Act (705 ILCS 405 / 5-905 (5)), COPA is prevented from publicly broadcasting videos involving a minor. Materials that may be released, including 911 calls, OEMC transmissions, tactical response and incident reports, will be released within 60 days of the incident and in accordance with the City’s video broadcast policy.

COPA is committed to conducting a full and thorough investigation into the officer’s use of lethal force to determine if his actions were in accordance with Ministry policy and training and is asking the public’s patience.

COPA UPDATED STATEMENT

COPA is currently doing all it can and is seeking all legal avenues that will allow the public release of all video material that captures the tragic and fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo.

COPA’s commitment to transparency remains unwavering, one of our core values ​​and paramount to our ability to build and maintain trust.

The death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo is tragic and we were all saddened by this incident. COPA has been in contact with the Toledo family and will provide the family with a review of all video documents.

We are committed to disseminating video material to the extent legally possible and as part of our commitment to transparency and building public trust.

FULL STATEMENT FROM CHICAGO POLICE SUPT. DAVID BROWN

My biggest fear as the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department was a fatal encounter between one of our own and a minor, especially given the recent increase in violent crime involving minors across our city. Sadly, that fear became a reality earlier this week. Any loss of life is tragic, especially when it concerns young people. On behalf of the entire Chicago Police Department, I extend my condolences to the family of the minor, who was fatally shot by a Chicago police officer in the wee hours of the morning of Monday, March 29, 2021. I do not name this youth man. because I don’t want to violate his privacy as a minor.

The split-second decision to use lethal force is extremely difficult for any officer and always places a heavy burden on officers involved in fatal shootings. We fully support the investigation by the Civil Police Accountability Office (COPA) and strongly call for the release of all videos, including body-worn camera footage, related to the incident, such as the allow laws relating to minors.

Details of the incident, including the full use of force investigation, are currently under investigation by COPA with the full cooperation of the Chicago Police Department. The officer concerned was assigned to routine administrative functions for a period of 30 days. This matter is under investigation and all further inquiries can be directed to COPA at (312) 746-3609.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT’S FULL STATEMENT
“As a mother of a 13 year old, I can only imagine the incredible pain this boy’s parents are going through right now. My heart suits them. The facts and circumstances of this case are under investigation, but we have to wonder how our social safety net failed this boy who led to the tragic events in the early hours of Monday morning.

While the investigation is ongoing, it is critically important that COPA release videos relevant to the family first, and then to the public, as quickly as possible with appropriate protections given his age. Because her family and the public will undoubtedly have many questions, we need to post all relevant videos as soon as possible. Recognizing that these are the most complex cases COPA investigates, transparency and speed are crucial. ”

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this article.