Chicago police officers involved in deadly South Austin shooting acted reasonably: COPA report

Police say Tracey Watson was stabbing another man before officers ordered him to drop his weapon
Friday, January 30, 2026
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two Chicago police officers involved in a deadly shooting in 2024 were found to have acted reasonably, according to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.



Chicago police officials said Watson was stabbing another man before officers ordered him to drop his weapon.

COPA says officers shot Tracey Watson after he refused to drop a knife.

COPA also says the officers' reports matched up with video from the shooting.



However, COPA did recommend reprimanding the officers for not turning on their body cameras earlier.

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