On Thursday, federal prosecutors unexpectedly dropped charges against three men involved in an alleged attempted robbery of an undercover ATF gun-buying operation in Country Club Hills. This decision followed the emergence of video evidence that seemed to contradict the government’s initial account of why a federal task force officer shot one of the suspects.
This reversal occurred just eight days after charges were announced against Amif Fagan, Demond Edwards, and a third individual related to a June 9 operation that concluded with Fagan and Edwards being shot by law enforcement.
Prosecutors stated in a court filing on Thursday that they had recently reviewed video footage of Edwards’ shooting, which appeared to conflict with the description in the criminal complaint signed by an FBI agent on June 11.
The complaint alleged that around 5:30 p.m. on June 9, five men and one woman arrived in a Dodge Dart on Loretto Lane as two undercover ATF agents, a confidential informant, and a firearms trafficker were in a covert vehicle for a planned gun transaction.
Authorities claimed that Fagan and Edwards exited the vehicle and approached the undercover agents. The complaint described how Fagan allegedly pulled a handgun from his jacket and Edwards retrieved a firearm from a backpack, pointing their weapons at the undercover team. An ATF agent then drew his service weapon, instructing them to drop their guns.
An ATF response team soon arrived in a Dodge Ram and an all-terrain vehicle with emergency lights on. The team opened fire after witnessing the suspects aiming guns at the undercover agents, hitting Fagan in the head and arm.
CWB Chicago obtained video footage from the U.S. District Court in Chicago. This video, edited to stop before the officer fires his weapon, does not display the shooting. The full video, including footage after the shooting, is available at the end of this article.
The charges began to fall apart due to questions about Edwards’ shooting. The complaint alleged that officers chased Edwards after the robbery attempt, describing him as wearing a black balaclava, gray gloves, and black clothing with a black leather backpack containing a firearm.
Shortly after losing sight of him, an ATF officer, believed to be from the Chicago police, encountered Edwards several blocks away. A video obtained by CWB Chicago shows Edwards wearing white gym shoes, maroon track pants, and a blue T-shirt.
The FBI complaint alleged that the officer identified himself and ordered Edwards to stop, to which Edwards allegedly responded, “I’m not going back to jail,” before physically struggling with the officer. The complaint stated that Edwards struck the officer repeatedly.
In response, the officer shot Edwards with his department-issued firearm, according to the complaint.
The cellphone video starts after the confrontation began, showing Edwards lying in the street while an officer straddles him with a drawn handgun. After about 25 seconds, Edwards throws the officer off, rises, and is shot by the officer from the ground, collapsing beside the vehicle.
Authorities have not claimed Edwards was armed when shot, though a firearm was later found on a nearby rooftop according to the complaint.
The newly revealed footage was not initially shared with the prosecutors. ATF representatives informed the U.S. Attorney’s Office on June 12 that video of the Edwards incident existed. However, the prosecutors did not become aware of it until this week, prompting an immediate request for the video from ATF, which then provided the cellphone video and a second recording obtained by CWB Chicago.
A second video, from a home security camera, shows the officer driving through the neighborhood and confronting Edwards, but does not capture the shooting or any gunfire.
“You got something in your f****** hand?” the officer is heard shouting in the video, to which a voice off-camera replies, “No.”
Prosecutors also raised concerns about another allegation in the initial complaint. It alleged that Cashonn Toney struck an occupied undercover ATF vehicle while fleeing. Evidence now suggests inconsistencies in that description.
Judge Keri Holleb Hotaling approved the dismissal of charges without prejudice, allowing the possibility of refiling. She rejected efforts to seal the videos, citing the public’s interest in transparency.
Questions about Edwards’ shooting arose soon after charges were filed. The federal complaint described a physical struggle before the officer fired, while the Civilian Office of Police Accountability said the officer observed the attempted robbery, pursued in an unmarked vehicle, and discharged his weapon shortly after exiting the vehicle, omitting mention of a prolonged struggle.
Below is the full version of the previously mentioned video. Viewer discretion is advised.
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