Police Shoot at Armed Man in South Jeffery Incident
CHICAGO — The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) has released video and other materials from an incident in which Chicago police officers shot at an armed man in September.
According to a Chicago Police Department report, officers were responding to a “person with a gun call” in the 7100 block of South Jeffery when they encountered a man matching the suspect description around 10:50 p.m. on September 16.
Police body cameras captured the events unfolding: The man ran into traffic lanes and was hit by a passing car. Despite being struck, he got up and continued running. A gunshot, believed to have been fired by a police officer, can be heard as the man rises to his feet and runs further away.
More officers joined the pursuit, and video footage shows the man emerging from between parked cars while pointing a firearm at an officer. The officer fired at the man, who was then taken into custody. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the gunfire. A loaded handgun with an extended magazine was recovered from the man, identified as 31-year-old Rakim Kendall.
Body camera videos from the two officers who discharged their weapons during the incident have been compiled for review. You can access the full videos and related materials here.
Kendall remains in custody on charges of aggravated assault of peace officers and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, as he is considered a public safety threat. Court records indicate that Kendall had received probation for a previous gun-related offense just days before the incident with the police.
COPA is actively investigating the officers’ use of force and their adherence to police regulations in this case.
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