Man shot two officers, one fatally, while being prepped for scan at Swedish Hospital: prosecutors

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man has been charged in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew.

Bartholomew, who had been with the Chicago Police Department for 10 years, was one of two officers shot at a North Side hospital over the weekend.

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As the second police officer injured in Saturday's shooting remains in critical condition, police announced on Monday that 26-year-old Alphanso Talley of Chicago has been charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery.

And an Indiana woman has been charged federally with making a material false statement in the acquisition of a firearm in connection with the gun used in the double shooting, according to court documents.

Olivia Burgos bought the gun on May 27, 2024 in Merrillville, Indiana, court documents say. The documents say Burgos bought the gun for her boyfriend at the time.

Bartholomew's family was joined by several dozen members of the Chicago Police Department, alderpersons, and other politicians and police supporters for Talley's court hearing on Monday.

"Every officer knows the risk they take when they put on the uniform and head out. But having it play out like this is truly sad time for the city," said 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez.

Talley lumbered into the courtroom just before noon at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. The judge asked him to confirm his name twice, but he refused to respond, not speaking a word during the hearing.

SEE ALSO | Swedish Hospital shooting: What we know about suspected cop killer's lengthy criminal history

The prosecution offered a brief synopsis of Saturday's events, saying it all started at 8 a.m., when Talley allegedly robbed a Albany Park Family Dollar in the 3200-block of West Lawrence Avenue and pistol-whipped an employee. Attorneys say the stolen cash had GPS, and Chicago police tracked it to Talley, who they took into custody.

They say Talley claimed to have swallowed drugs, so at that point, two officers escorted him to Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in the city's Ravenswood neighborhood. As Talley was being prepared for a CT scan, he was stripped of his clothes but was apparently able to keep a blanket over him.

As soon as one of the officers uncuffed him, prosecutors say, Talley reached under the blanket and shot one officer in the head. He then turned and shot the second officer in the face before shooting out a hospital window to escape.

Prosecutors never said how Talley got the 10 mm handgun into the hospital. Officials with Endeavor Health say security wanded him as he entered the hospital and that nothing was detected.

He was eventually found a short time later under porch nearby. Cellphone video shows the moment Talley was arrested on Carmen Avenue, not long after he allegedly ran out of the hospital without any clothes on.

One woman said the suspect was hiding in the alley next to her home after his escape as the SWAT team searched for him

"They came right by our window and asked us, through the window, our address," neighbor Madison Heckel said. "And we saw them move their weapons pointing at our neighbor's house to our house, which was pretty terrifying because I have never had a weapon pointed in my direction before. So, that was pretty awful. They were shaking at our garage door in the back. So, we were wondering if maybe whoever they were after had somehow gotten into our garage."

Officials say Talley is a seven-time convicted felon, a parole absconder, and an electronic monitoring escapee with cases pending for armed carjacking and armed robbery.

After Monday's hearing, where Talley was ordered to be held in custody, police union leaders and alderpersons stopped to slam what they call a failed system that puts people on electronic monitoring that are repeat offenders of major crimes.

"They should not be enjoying the sun on their face and be able to keep committing crime every day, and these judges are doing nothing about it. It's flawed. It's broken. It needs to end," said 41st Ward Ald. Anthony Napolitano.

"Judge Lyke issued a warrant March 11 out of this building for an electronic monitoring violation. Five weeks this kid was wondering the streets. Who's looking for him?" said Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.

With one officer, a 57-year-old who has been with the department for 21 years, still fighting for his life, Catanzara also offered a brief update.

"It's very bad. It's extremely grave. It's not good. It's going to take a miracle," Catanzara said.

CPD Officer Carlos Yanez, who was nearly killed in the line of duty five years ago, said he will be praying like every one else did for him.

"I hope that he makes a miraculous recovery and is with us and stays with us. And for the families, just be strong right now. I know what they're going through," Yanez said.

Purple bunting now hangs at CPD's 17th District. Blue ribbons and flowers were placed there, and a Gold Star flag is flying at half-staff as those inside mourn the loss of one of their own and continue praying for the recovery of another.

CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said in a statement Monday, "The offender responsible for the murder of our fallen officer and the attempted murder of our critically injured officer has been charged. Though this does not bring solace to this tragedy, it does bring the first step in accountability. I want to thank every officer who quickly responded to take this offender into custody and every detective who worked tirelessly during this investigation to secure charges.

"I ask that everyone continue to hold the family of our fallen officer in your hearts during this unimaginable time. We must also support and pray for our injured officer, who is still fighting for his life. I also want to acknowledge the men and women of the 17th District, where these officers worked.

"This shooting was a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our officers face all too often on this job. I encourage every Chicagoan to join us in supporting our officers and their families in these difficult days ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to extend support and offer condolences. Your words have been a comfort to our grieving Chicago Police Department family."

Funeral arrangements for the fallen officer have not yet been released. At this point, CPD says out of respect for Bartholomew's family, they are not sharing a photograph of him until his relatives are ready.

Meanwhile, Talley's public defender told the judge that she had not yet had a confidential conversation with her client. The hearing was allowed to continue, and the next court date was set for Thursday, April 30.

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