Chicago shooting: Family demands answers after police shoot, kill armed man in Lawndale
'I wish I was there for you': Family says Reginald Clay Jr. was shot in back 4 times, held valid FOID card
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man was fatally shot in a Chicago police shooting on the city's West Side on Saturday morning, CPD said.
Family members identified the man shot as 24-year-old Reginald Clay Jr., the father of a 3-year-old girl.
His came back to the scene, angry and demanding answers. They said he was an innocent bystander who was chased down by police before being shot and killed.
The family told ABC7 he was meeting his friends on West Flournoy Street and South Independence Boulevard on Saturday morning to then go to a friend's funeral. Now, Clay's family said, they are now left to plan his funeral.
Reginald Clay Sr., Clay's father was overwhelmed with emotion as he held his only son's child, Kaylani, in his arms.
"I love you, man. Sorry, man. I wish I was there for you, man," he said.
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Chicago police held a news conference, saying officers were in the area on what they call a "de-escalation mission for a gang conflict" after another man was shot a block away two weeks ago.
That shooting on April 1 killed Christopher Patterson. Clay's family said he was meeting friends on the street on Saturday before heading to Patterson's funeral when police pulled up.
Police said officers saw a group of people in the 3800 block of West Flournoy Street just after 11 a.m. Clay was seeing leaning into a vehicle.
Police said when officers approached Clay, he began running. They chased him into a gangway of an apartment. That's when, investigators said, he turned around and brandished a gun, and that's when officers fired.
"They pulled up. My brother backed up an inch on the curb away from the car," said Donnotello Taylor, Clay's brother. "After he got deeper into the gangway, I couldn't see him. I heard gunshots."
Officers immediately called for emergency medical services and started rendering aid, police said. Chicago fire officials transported Clay in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he later died. His family said he was shot multiple times in the back.
"If somebody turns around and brandished a gun, you're going to get hit in your torso, stomach and all that. My son got hit in his back four times, man. Four times," said Clay's father.
Police said a gun was recovered from the scene, but Clay's family said he was a valid FOID card holder.
As Clay's family deals with his death, they're also pleading for answers from those who shot and killed him.
"How are you posing a threat running with your back turned? That ain't no threat," Clay's father said.
COPA said portions of the incident were caught on body-camera.
The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days. Chicago police and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability are investigating.
COPA asked anyone with information or video footage related to the shooting to contact them at 312-746-3609 or by visiting ChicagoCOPA.org.
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