CPD officer responding to ShotSpotter opened fire on teen setting off fireworks
By: Newly released body camera video on Tuesday revealed the chaotic moments caught on body camera video in Auburn Gresham, as a Chicago police officer opened fire on a teenager setting off fireworks in an alley, because he thought he and other officers were being shot at.
In this case, no injuries were reported.
Just before 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 25, officers responded to a ShotSpotter notification of gunfire in an alley near the 8500 block of South Winchester Avenue.
Body camera footage released by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Tuesday showed what unfolded, and how it nearly ended in tragedy.
COPA confirmed the officers were responding to a ShotSpotter alert of shots fired in the area. Video shows three CPD officers getting out of their patrol vehicle in the alley when they saw a person standing outside a home.
"What's up? What you doing, bro?" one of the officers asked.
After a brief exchange, a loud banging noise rang out, and one of the officers shouted, "shots fired at police, shots fired at Winchester."
Believing they were under attack, one of the officers opened fire, and took cover, then quickly assessed the situation.
"They saying it's fireworks but ran in the house," an officer said.
Another angle from the scene revealed bullets weren't being fired. Instead, fireworks had been set off.
Surveillance video footage showed the teen running off as the fireworks went off.
COPA confirmed no shots were fired at police, and said it is still investigating the incident.
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said appropriate action will be taken if the officer who fired shots is determined to have violated department policy.
"We have to get the full story before we determine if they did the right thing or did not do the right thing," Snelling said.
As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered, including whether ShotSpotter gunshot sensors mistook the fireworks for gunfire.