Man pleads guilty in connection with shooting death of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera
Another suspect is accused of pointing a rifle at police before Rivera was unintentionally shot by a fellow cop, CPD officials say
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man pleaded guilty to a weapon charge Thursday in connection with the death of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera.
Jaylin Arnold pleaded guilty to felony possession of a weapon, and was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
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The sentence will run concurrently with a three-year sentence for an unrelated drug charge.
Investigators say Arnold was an armed drug dealer who Rivera and her partner first encountered on the evening of June 5, 2025 near 82nd Street and Drexel Avenue in the city's Chatham neighborhood.
SEE ALSO: New video shows moment Chicago police say Officer Krystal Rivera was fatally shot by her partner
Prosecutors said the officers tried to engage with Arnold after they noticed what they thought was a gun with a drum magazine, and Arnold ran, prompting a pursuit.
The pursuit led the officers to a nearby apartment, where authorities say Arnold had guns and was preparing drugs for sale.
That is where investigators say Rivera and her partner encountered Arnold's co-defendant, Adrian Rucker.
Prosecutors said police body camera video and security video in the apartment captured Rucker pointing a rifle at officers from behind a couch in the apartment.
Authorities say that's when Rivera's partner lost his footing, and his weapon accidentally discharged, striking Rivera and killing her.
Rucker is due in court May 12.
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