Surveillance video shows traffic stop before fatal shooting of CPD Officer Ella French; 2 charged
Emonte Morgan, Eric Morgan ordered held in custody
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two people have been charged in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Officer Ella French who was killed during a traffic stop in West Englewood Saturday night. Her partner remains in the hospital after being shot.
Emonte Morgan, 21, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
Eric Morgan, 22, is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and obstruction of justice, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said.
WATCH: Police Supt. David Brown announces charges in fatal shooting of Officer Ella French
Police say Emonte Morgan both killed French and shot her partner three times. His brother Eric, police say, was driving the car the officers had pulled over for expired tags.
The I-Team acquired a still frame of police bodycam from the night of the fatal shooting that shows the moment before a firefight began. It shows Officer French shining her flashlight into the driver's side of the car, where Eric is allegedly sitting. The passenger is not being identified by ABC7 at this time, as she has not been charged in the incident.
When officer French asked Eric Morgan to hand over the car keys and get out, he did. But police say Emonte Morgan, who was sitting in the back seat, would not cooperate. Investigators say he struggled with police, and had his gun in his waistband.
According to officials, both officers had their guns holstered when Emonte pulled out a gun and fired at both officers. Both officers fell to the ground, and body cameras were still rolling and captured the suspect stepping over the officers' bodies while carrying a gun.
Emonte, also known as "Monte," and Eric Morgan were both ordered held without bond after Tuesday hearings. Emonte did not appear in court; he is hospitalized at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn after police shot him following the shootings of French and her partner.
"This is the first step toward justice as we work to honor our fallen officer and her partner," said CPD Supt. David Brown.
French was one of the officers who took a 1-month-old baby and her mother to the hospital on July 2 when the baby was shot in the head during a mass shooting in Englewood.
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The baby's uncle said French actually drove to the hospital herself, and that the family wanted to thank her. He said his niece is now doing well, and the family is very grateful for the outcome.
Flags across the city are flying at half-staff. The 29-year-old was remembered with the raising of a purple and black mourning flag.
A vigil was held in West Englewood for her Monday night, the spot where she was killed marked with a cross bearing her name and her department photo.
"She was courageous, spontaneous," said CPD Officer Erica Hernandez, fighting tears. "She was an amazing person to be around."
First responders showed their support with another group of firefighters bringing a few boxes of donuts to Area One Monday for officers.
A third suspect is in stable condition at Christ Hospital, police said.
Police said the three suspects were being pulled over in a routine traffic stop Saturday night near 63rd Street and Bell Avenue in West Englewood when police said they exchanged gunfire with the community safety officers, including Officer French.
Neighbors who lived nearby said they heard at least four gunshots.
Video shows who neighbors identified as the driver of the car, now identified by police as Eric Morgan, running from the scene. Neighbors said he jumped the fence to get away.
The neighbors said they tackled the man, who was also armed with a gun, and waited for officers to take him into custody.
"To die over a traffic stop, I am sorry, that just hurt me so bad," said Yvette Smith, neighbor paying her respects.
"Traffic stops have always been a tough thing for police, because you know what you're doing but you have no idea what that person is, if they're wanted for some heinous crime," said Phil Cline, executive director of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. "They have a gun in this case here. So you've got to approach each traffic stop like that, and that's tough."
French joined the Chicago Police Department in 2018 after previously working with the Cook County Sheriff's Department.
French is the first female Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty since 1988. This is also the first time a CPD officer has died in the line of duty since Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office.
"A mother lost her daughter last night," Mayor Lightfoot said. "A brother, his sister. A family, forever shattered. Another continues to keep vigil at a hospital bed, sending up powerful prayers but no doubt fearing the worst."
Vigil held for critically injured 2nd officer outside hospital
A vigil to support Officer French's partner was held outside the hospital, as his family remains at his bedside while he fights for his life.
The officer, who remains in the ICU, has been on the job since August 2014. Friends say he is 39-years-old and married with a young son.
Sources tell the I-Team that the wounded officer has three gunshot wounds: One exited an eye, one lodged in the back of the head and one struck his shoulder.
Officers clung to prayer-inscribed dog tags, hoping he would pull through.
"Everybody is up there right now praying for him," said close friend Lewis Garcia. "I hope everybody else is praying for him also."
"I'm asking Chicago to wrap their arms around our police officers today and encourage them to continue their great work in protecting us all," Superintendent David Brown said.
The pastor at his church had a moment of silence for him during Sunday service adding that he loved the community he served.
"The father, I was telling him, 'you need to get some rest,'" New Life Community Church Pastor Mark Jobe said. "He said, 'No, I'm gonna stay here as many days as it takes and not leave my son's side.'"
He went on to say the officer loved the community where he was shot, "had a real heart for the community, for the people."
WATCH: CPD officer 1st woman fatally shot in line of duty since 1988
"It wasn't a duty where he felt he was stuck in this area. He really loved that place and has an amazing wife and a little boy," Jobe said.
