What Occurred Prior To The Shooting?
Prior to the shooting that had occurred, it seemed that this off-duty police officer and a man were having a normal conversation. The video that was released to the public about the shooting can show Smith, the man, looking towards her waist, where the gun was located. As she was an off-duty police officer, carrying a gun was legal for her to do.
Eventually, Smith tried to reach around her waist and attempt to take the gun away from her. It seemed that the off-duty cop already had an idea that this was going to happen. When it did happen, she was ready and started retaliating against the man. Eventually, she took out the gun and had it pointed at Smith, but he would not back down. “Dramatic surveillance video shows the off-duty officer fighting — at one point, even on the ground — to keep her gun out of the hands of a suspect before that gun went off,” according to Yahoo News.
What Happened During the Shooting?
This off-duty police officer had the gun pointed at Smith, but as aforementioned, he would not back down. Eventually, she had Smith on the ground, and shot him three times in total, “striking Smith in his abdomen and left hand.” mentions NBC 5 News. As Smith was laying on the ground, obviously wounded, he stated, “Damn baby, I’m sorry.”
Adding moments later, “I don’t want to die.” He was taken to the hospital but was later pronounced dead. The Off-duty police officer also went to the hospital for very minor injuries.
Would There Have Been Charges Against Smith?
It seems that charges are something that would have happened against Smith had he survived. The arrest report shows, one day before he died, Cook County prosecutors approved felony charges against Smith.
This goes to show that Smith was clearly in the wrong, as he tried to commit robbery. This is considered an act of self-defense, as the off-duty cop could have had her life taken had she not defended herself in the way she did.
Are There Any Outstanding Charges Against The Off-Duty Police Officer?
The off-duty police officer clearly stated that she was exercising her right to self-defense. She also warned the man countless times that she would kill him had he not let go.
“I told your dumb— I’d shoot you,” the officer yells. “You tried to steal my f—ing gun. I don’t give no f— about him. He just tried to rob me,” according to NBC 5 News.
She currently has not been charged by the city with any kind of wrongdoing. If she had attacked first and shot without reason, then charges would certainly be held for the off-duty police officer.
Current Standing On The Officer and the City
It seems that Smith’s family has decided to take it upon themselves to go against the officer and the city. Smith’s family decided to sue the city, in regard to the video and to the incident on February 3. Smith’s family mentioned she used unnecessary force and committed murder with no reason to.
Adding he suffered injuries that resulted in “his death, including, but not limited to, the loss of companionship and society, grief, sorrow, and mental anguish.” These are more reasons why the Smith family is suing both the officer and the city of Chicago.
Many Chicagoans are not happy with the fact that the Smith family wants to sue, as there is no reason for it. Many agree that the video shows clearly that Smith was trying to rob the off-duty police officer, and for that reason was shot three times, ultimately losing his life. Chicagoans believe that this was the right outcome, as he was an imminent threat to Chicagoans.
Written by David Loran Jr
Sources:
NBC5 News: ‘I’ll Kill You,’ Off-Duty Cop Yells Before Fatally Shooting Man Who Appeared to Grab for Her Gun, Video Shows
Yahoo! News: Chicago shooting: Man shot by off-duty police officer during robbery-in-progress, ME says
MSN: Off-duty Chicago cop warns alleged thief she’ll ‘kill’ him before fatal shooting: footage
Featured Image Courtesy of Jason Lawrence’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Jobs For Felons Hub’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
