On March 29th, Chicago PD shot and killed a Latino 13 year old boy. Initial report claims that the boy, Adam Toledo, was still holding the gun in his hand when he was shot by 34 year old Officer Eric Stillman. Footage released from both a police body cam and surveillance video from a nearby buildings show otherwise.

Within a 10 minute time span

That night, authorities got an alert from their ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system. They got an alert located in the city’s West Side, predominately a POC neighborhood. Authorities had also received two 911 calls about gunshots that were most likely connected to the ShotSpotter alert. Police showed up to the scene sometime after 2 a.m.

Surveillance video from moments before the fatal shooting shows 21 year old Ruben Roman shooting at a passing vehicle with 13 year old Adam beside him. Shortly after, both males went to hide in a nearby alley and that is where the officers found them. Officers said both of the males had tried to run away. They were able to tackle and handcuff Roman, then they proceeded to chase after Toledo. Officers were yelling at him to stop and show his hands. You can see that Adam had dropped a handgun and proceeded to raise his hands up. The police officer still shot him in the chest. He called for an ambulance right away and tried CPR. Footage shows Officer Stillman trying to revive the boy, telling him to “stay with him”. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

They found Roman with gloves that tested positive for gunshot residue. Police had recovered seven shell casings. They were a match to the handgun Roman was seen using in the surveillance footage. That was the same handgun Toledo was later caught with. 

Days after the incident

Two days later, they contacted Adam’s mother. She received a call that his description had matched a body at the morgue. She identified her son’s body on March 31st, two days after his death. Adam was a seventh grader at Gary Elementary School.

Lori Lightfoot Chicago’s mayor released a statement with the boy’s family and held a press conference. She admitted the video was “incredibly difficult to watch”.  According to officer Stillman’s lawyer Timothy Grace, he had “no other option”. Ruben Roman is now facing felony charges that include reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, violating probation and child endangerment. As expected, protests started right away. The Toledo family urges people to “remain peaceful”.

As of now, Officer Eric Stillman is on administrative duties for 30 days.