Vigil held for man, 19, fatally shot by police in West Englewood

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The family of Kajuan Raye, the 19-year-old man shot and killed by police during a foot pursuit in West Englewood on Wednesday night, held a vigil Friday evening near the scene of the shooting.

Loved ones lit candles and gathered to pray before sharing their thoughts on the shooting.

"It's sad to say that the police killed my nephew, they still haven't found a gun, he was a good kid at the end of the day, he didn't get a chance to live," said Michelle Raye, Raye's aunt.

"I want to thank everybody, we are going to get justice" said Karonisha Ramsey, Raye's mother.

Raye's family said he was standing at a bus stop with a friend and one other person in the 1400-block of West 65th Street when police approached them. Each person ran in different directions out of fear, family said, before several shots were fired and Raye was struck.

The Cook County Medical Examiner said Raye died from a gunshot wound to the back. His death was ruled a homicide.

Chicago police said an Englewood District sergeant was responding to a call of a "battery in progress" and saw a man who matched the description of the offender. When the sergeant approached, the man started running.

The sergeant who shot and killed Raye told investigators that the man he was chasing turn and pointed a gun at him two separate times during the chase and at some point the sergeant fired shots, striking him. Chicago police did not recover a gun on the scene. It is unclear if the sergeant was wearing a body camera.

Surveillance video obtained by ABC7 shows Raye running from police, but the shooting itself is not caught on camera.

Family members said that Raye had ups and downs in life; his Facebook page has pictures of gang imagery, but family maintain that Raye did not own a gun. White said the shooting was not justified. "They actually murdered him," White said.

A family spokesperson released a statement on Thursday:

"At this point the family and friends of Kajuan Raye are heart-broken that their son is dead at the hands of a police officer who does not value the sanctity of life of black males. As a city we continue to struggle with police who are afraid of and have deep seeded prejudices against black youth. The family has retained a very competent law firm to investigate, get answers and hold accountable this officer and Chicago Police Department. In the future a vigil will be held in the memory of this fun-loving and happy kid who had a bright future."

The sergeant was not hurt and has been placed on administrative duties for 30 days. The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating.