The Chicago police superintendent said that the officer, who was “victim of the type of crime he was working against,” was shot and killed early on Sunday as he was leaving his job.
At a press conference on Sunday morning, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said that the 30-year-old officer who died was shot several times and had his car seized.
The dead cop, identified by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as Luis M. Huesca, was the victim of “an act of unconscionable gun violence in our city.”
“I met with Officer Huesca’s mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have my full support as they deal with this unspeakable loss. Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis’ fellow officers and community,” Johnson stated in a post on X.
“We can’t confirm that right now, but detectives are working through it. What we do know is that the officer’s vehicle was taken,” Snelling stated. “But to get to the total motive of what happened, we need more information and the detective division is working on that.”
There was no announcement of an arrest. A police statement states that the incident occurred on West 56th Street close to South Kedzie Avenue in the Gage Park area at approximately 2:53 in the AM.
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According to the statement, when officers arrived in response to a gunshot detection alert, they saw the fatally injured officer laying outdoors on the ground with several gunshot wounds.
We are deeply mourning the death of Officer Luis M. Huesca of the 5th District/Priority Response Team following an act of unconscionable gun violence in our city. No family or community should ever have to suffer such pain.
— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) April 21, 2024
According to Snell, the officer, who had been with the CPD for six years, was shot while wearing his uniform with a jacket over it.
“Our officer was headed home after his tour of duty,” Snelling stated. “While returning home, the officer was shot multiple times.”
Media staging for Police Officer shot in the 8th District is the N/W corner of 57th & Cottage Grove – U of C Hospital. Additional details to follow.
— Chicago Police Communications & News Affairs (@CPD_Media) April 21, 2024
According to CPD, the shooting took place on the city’s southwest side in the 8th Police District.
“He was working hard out there to keep communities and to keep people safe, and today that officer was a victim of the type of crime that he was working against to keep people safe in this city,” Snelling stated. “There’s a lot of violent crime out here and there are people who are brazen and cowardly in the way they go about their days and carry out these violent acts against the decent hardworking people of this city, who are just trying to live their lives the right way. It has to stop.”
According to Snelling, the officer’s mother and uncle are still alive.
“He was just a great officer, a great human being and his family is dealing with a lot right now. My condolences go out to the family. We really need to keep the family, his mother in our prayers,” Snelling stated. “These are senseless, senseless crimes that are taking the lives of our community members. Today, one of our officers.”
