Chicago police officer unintentionally shot, killed by fellow cop in Chatham: CPD
Medical examiner said Krystal Rivera, 36, was shot in the back
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago police officer shot and killed a fellow officer during a tactical operation Thursday night, police said.
CPD said Friday that the only weapon discharged during a confrontation with an armed suspect in Chatham Thursday was that of an officer, who unintentionally shot Officer Krystal Rivera, 36.
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The investigation into the alleged aggravated assault of the officers by an armed suspect, who pointed a rifle at police is ongoing, police said.
The suspect remains in custody.
Detectives also continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the investigative stop before the deadly encounter.
"We ask that the city continue to pray for fallen Officer Krystal Rivera's family during this heartbreaking time. We also ask that the people of Chicago pray for Officer Rivera's partner as he faces the loss of his fellow CPD family member. Though her loss weighs heavy on our department, we will continue to do all we can to protect our city in memory of Officer Rivera and her sacrifice," police said.
Police said officers assigned to the 6th District Tactical Team were on patrol when they attempted to make a stop on a suspected armed male suspect at about 9:50 p.m. in the 8200-block of South Drexel Avenue.
As officers approached, police said the suspect ran into a nearby building.
As officers pursued, Rivera and her partner were confronted by another suspect who was armed with a rifle, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said.
"The officers followed," Superintendent Snelling said. "They were met in that apartment by a second person with a rifle pointed at the officers. At some point, an officer discharged a weapon. An officer was struck; she was then transported to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her wounds."
Rivera was shot and was taken to the University of Chicago hospital in a squad car, officials told ABC7.
That car crashed, and police had to wait for another vehicle to take her the rest of the way.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said Rivera was shot in the back, and declared her death a homicide.
A second officer's wrist was injured. That officer is expected to be OK.
Friday morning, investigators continued to process the scene and brought bags and boxes of evidence into police cars from the apartment building.
Three firearms were located on the scene, police said; COPA has been notified of the shooting, police said.
CPD initially said three suspects were in custody. It was not immediately clear if two had been released.
Outside Police District 6, officers placed a black and purple flag at half staff, as they mourn the fallen officer.
Rivera is the second officer from the 6th District who has been shot and killed in the line of duty within the past year.
Friday morning, Pastor Donovan Price told ABC7 he stopped by to meet Rivera's fellow officers and to pray with them during roll call.
"It reminds me of a typical family when they found out something terrible happened," Pastor Price said. "They're crying, emotional. With these officers, a lot of them are young. You can look in their eyes that it could have almost been them."
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Rivera lived on the city's Northwest Side in the Irving Park neighborhood.
CPD said she had been on the job for four years and was also a mother to a 10-year-old daughter.
Cmdr. Mike Tate said she had a birthday party set for Saturday.
"We're going to continue as a city to pray for the Rivera family and the entire police department," Tate said.
Overnight, a sea of blue escorted Rivera from the hospital she was taken to after she was shot to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
There was a flood of Chicago police squad cars with their blue lights on surrounding the office.
Officers could also be seen comforting one another during this very difficult time.
Superintendent Snelling spoke during an overnight news conference, sharing that Officer Rivera worked tirelessly to keep the city safe and added that he's spoken with the fallen officer's mother, who said Rivera loved her job.
"She lost her life tragically doing the job that she loved, and that was one of the things that her mother said. She loved her job and the way that she worked. It was evident that she did love her job, and she wanted to make Chicago a better place. She wanted to make it safer," Snelling said.
Her friends say Rivera wanted to be a police officer from the time she was a teenager.
Tate said Rivera was one of his finest members of the tactical team, and will be dearly missed by the entire department and the community.
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Superintendent Snelling at the press conference, where he said the entire city is mourning the loss of this officer.
"This young woman served honorably and courageously. I am calling on the entire city of Chicago to keep this officer's family in your prayers along with our entire police department," Mayor Johnson said. "Her young, energetic bold approach toward keeping us safe is the memory that we will honor."
Forty-fifth Ward Alderman Jim Gardiner represents the ward Rivera lived in. He said, though he never knew Rivera personally, the loss of this magnitude and nature rattles a community, especially one filled with first responders.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rivera family, and I think, right now, we just want to give our praise and upmost respect to all the officers who currently serve our city," Alderman Gardiner said. "I think we can all empathize with the amount of stress and challenges that our officers are currently going through right now."
The Fraternal Order of Police is also reacting to the death of this Chicago police officer, writing on Facebook, "Yet again we are at these crossroads, honoring our fallen sister and searching for answers. May God's grace be upon her."
Superintendent Snelling is also calling for the city to keep Officer Rivera and her family in their prayers, as the department mourns yet another loss of their own.
Her friends and colleagues are remembering Rivera as a hero.
"A really sweet person, got along with everyone, kind and outgoing person," Father Michael Pfleger said.
Pfleger spoke more about Rivera's impact on the community at an anti-violence Take Back the Block event at St. Sabina Church in nearby Auburn Gresham Friday evening.
Several people and organizations have reached out to the 6th District to try to support Officer Rivera's colleagues. Alderman David Moore brought food for the officers.
"We just gonna make sure we put our arms around them. That's what today is, putting our arms around them and helping them get through another tragedy," Moore said. "I've run across her several times, I mean, whether we were doing roll calls. They're always out here ready to do their job and really support and protect the community."
Police officers from different areas showed up at the 6th District as a way of support. They spoke on the emotional toll this has for everyone on the force.
"I can't go into the depth of how heartbroken I am, not only for police officers, but the city as a whole, for everything that the officers have to go through on a day to day basis that people don't know or understand," Officer Ron McFadden said.
The investigation continues, and no charges have been filed.
"People are putting their lives on the line because they care about protecting others, and she was one who cared about protecting others," Moore said. "She had a young child, and that's heartbreaking, you know."
Police said they will study body camera video and whatever other footage of the incident they can find.
"It reminds us that not only is life about being impactful, but to remember those who serve and protect. She put her life on the line for our city, and so the whole city mourns," 6th Ward Alderman William Hall said.
Four years ago at her police graduation ceremony, ABC7 Chicago interviewed Officer Rivera for a story on the COVID pandemic. She was full of excitement, as she was ready to begin her career.
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation said in a statement:
"The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation family, like so many Chicagoans and the entire law enforcement community, is full of heartbreak and sorrow today over the tragic and untimely loss of Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera.
"Four years into a promising career and Officer Rivera had already earned the respect of her colleagues and superiors. Krystal was a hard-working, tough police officer who led by example and was a mentor to younger officers coming on the job.
"She represented everything we want our police officers to be: smart, assertive, tough, compassionate and professional. Krystal greeted each tour of duty with zeal and enthusiasm and worked every day to make Chatham, and our city, safer.
"But more than her love of being a Chicago Police officer, she loved her colleagues and her family dearly. We pray for her daughter, especially, and promise to support her in every way we can in the days, weeks and years to come.
"The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and the Chicago Police Gold Star Families will be providing emotional and financial support to Officer Rivera's family in the coming days. And true to its mission, the Foundation pledges to be at their side to help them navigate the profound grief they are experiencing.
"People who are called to selflessly place the safety and well-being of others ahead of their own are deserving of our deepest respect and gratitude. We encourage everyone to keep Officer Rivera and all Chicago Police officers close to their own hearts today as we mourn yet another senseless loss for the Chicago Police Department and our city."
Several officers killed in last two years
This is the fifth Chicago police officer shot and killed since 2023.
Officer Enrique Martinez, 26, was shot and killed during a traffic stop last November in East Chatham.
The suspect in the case is charged with first-degree murder.
Officer Luis Huesca was shot and killed in Gage Park, in April 2024.
The 30-year old was driving home after his shift, when he was ambushed.
The suspect was arrested after a 10-day manhunt and faces numerous charges.
Officer Aréanah Preston, 24, was killed in May 2023. She was shot in an attempted robbery in Avalon Park, as she returned home after her shift.
Four men are charged with her murder.
Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso was shot to death in March of 2023. The 32-year old was responding to a domestic violence incident in Gage Park.
A suspect was arrested and charged.
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