Chicago Police shooting: Officer Enrique Martinez among two killed in East Chatham near 80th Street, South Ingleside Avenue

CHICAGO (WLS) — Tuesday was and continues to be a very emotional day, not only for everyone who works in District 6 and knew Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, but also for the community as a whole.

Dozens of people gathered in the area Tuesday afternoon to express their grief and support.

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Dozens of people began streaming into Chicago’s 6th Precinct police station, including St. Sabina Father Michael Pfleger, shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Although ABC7 cameras were not allowed to remain during the prayer vigil that followed, it was clearly an emotional moment for the officers in attendance, who mourned one of their own, 26-year-old Martinez, on Tuesday.

“We’re all in this together. We are family. And I told them there. You are not strangers. You are our brothers, our sisters, our friends. And that’s how we need to start seeing each other,” Pfleger said.

Martinez, a nearly three-year veteran of the department, was killed Monday night just after 8 p.m. while he and others were conducting a traffic stop in East Chatham.

According to police, there were three people in the car. One of them opened fire on Martinez, killing him and his front seat passenger, police said. The identity of this person has not been disclosed.

“He was a proud man, very hardworking. And he gave his life for this city,” the CPD advisor said. Larry Snelling said of Martinez.

The alleged shooter initially attempted to flee the scene, hitting a second police officer with his vehicle in the process.

“What we are calling for, what we expect and expect, is a swift call for justice to ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are brought to justice. And we will bring to justice the people who continue to seek terror in our city,” the mayor. Brandon Johnson said this at a press conference late Monday evening.

The man was later taken into custody, Snelling said.

“We will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We’re going to do as much investigation as possible, gather all the evidence to make sure we isolate these people so they never see the light of day.” It’s day again,” Snelling said.

Another person who was in the back seat of the car at the time of the shooting was also detained. That passenger, who was not involved in the shooting, was later released, police said Tuesday.

Details are still being determined, but Snelling confirmed that one of the vehicle’s occupants had his ankle monitor cut off.

“We must do everything we can to keep violent criminals off the streets, especially those who repeat these acts,” Snelling said. “If we don’t do this, we will let our citizens down. We will fail our children. We will fail their future. We must keep violent criminals off the street.”

Johnson offered his condolences as he joined Snelling and others outside the University of Chicago Medical Center Monday evening.

“I encourage everyone in this city to pray for this family. But I also encourage the people of this city to embrace each other and especially our police department,” Johnson said.

Police said they found two weapons, including one with an extended magazine.

“We have to say, ‘Enough is enough.’ We can’t keep showing up at police station after police station, seeing our officers get gunned down,” said 15th District Ald. Raymond Lopez.

The exact circumstances of the traffic stop have not been released.

Police said one of the officers at the scene was able to return fire, but it was unclear if anyone was injured.

“What we know at this time is that there was one officer on scene who fired his weapon. Those officers’ weapons are still being examined,” Snelling said. “There is evidence of recovery. And that’s all the information we have at the moment.”

News of the suspect’s ankle monitor prompted Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara to call for greater accountability in the fight against crime.

“Does my face look surprised?” said Catanzara. “Unfortunately, this is not the case. In this county, in this city, it’s just the status quo. Again, they are allowed to do whatever they want, and you continue to make excuses.”

The Sixth Ward is one of the most violent areas in Chicago. Over the past 12 months, there have been 2,053 violent crimes (murder, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated battery) reported in the county.

It has the third-highest violent crime rate of any borough in the city, with 237 violent crimes per 100,000 people, behind Wards 7 and 11. However, over the past 12 months, violent crime has increased by 5.4% compared to the previous period’s average. three years.

However, some violent crimes, such as murders and shootings, have decreased in the county.

• There were 63 homicides in District 6 over the past 12 months: seven homicides per 100,000 people, down 11.3% from the previous three-year average.
• 652 robberies in District 6 over the past 12 months: 75 robberies per 100,000 people, up 10.8% from the previous three-year average.
• 247 shots (both fatal and non-fatal) in the last 12 months: 28 shots per 100,000 people, down 21.4% from the average for the previous three years.

Traffic stops like the one Martinez conducted when he was killed are part of a disturbing trend in Chicago.

Retired CPD Sergeant Tracy Quarles served in the position for 25 years. He said that his best friend and co-worker was killed many years ago during a traffic stop.

“I’ve seen officer-involved shootings, officer-involved shootings, from my first day on the job to watching the news last night,” Quarles said Tuesday. “I let it play out in my head. In terms of seeing friends and work colleagues and attending numerous funerals over the years.”

Alderman Silvana Tabares, who represents the 23rd Ward, wants more done to protect citizens and officers.

Her husband is a CPD officer. She sees the department losing experienced officers.

Martinez is the fourth officer to die in the line of duty in the last two years. Officer Luis Huesca was killed in April 2024, Officer Areana Preston was killed in May 2023 and Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso was killed in March 2023.

“We’ve lost a lot of young officers, a lot of young Latino officers, in the last year and a half. With Officer Vasquez Lasso and Officer Huesca and now Officer Martinez, it’s very tragic. This is very sad for our city and heartbreaking.” “, Tabares said.

Martinez’s death brought back tragic memories for Gold Star families, such as that of Officer Thomas Wortham, who was shot and killed in 2010.

His sister Sandra Wortham said she was listening to police scanners Monday night.

“Obviously heartbreaking, another nightmare, really unbelievable that we’re here again with one of our officers taken away from us,” Wortham said. “We have to be realistic about what we’re facing here, our public safety problem, and take it seriously because our entire lives depend on it, and that’s no exaggeration.”

A somber procession was held in Martinez’s honor Tuesday morning as a line of police cars escorted his body to the medical examiner’s office.

Martinez leaves behind a heartbroken family, which ABC7 reports includes a fiancée and a brother who is also a police officer.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating.

The officers concerned will be assigned to perform normal administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days.

The Will County Prosecutor’s Office released a statement regarding the shooting, saying: “The Will County District Attorney’s Office is working with the State Office of Pretrial Services and the Chicago Police Department to provide any assistance needed in the investigation into the murder of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez. The Will County District Attorney’s Office has no further comment on the matter. ongoing investigation by the Chicago Police Department.”

CPD released a statement saying: “The Chicago Police Department mourns the loss of a courageous hero who protected our city to the very end. We stand heartbroken with his family and loved ones. In grief we #NeverForget.”

Johnson released a statement saying: “I am deeply heartbroken that we lost a member of the Chicago Police Department yesterday. The entire city of Chicago joins me in mourning this profound loss.

“Every day, the brave men and women of the Chicago Police Department risk their lives to keep our city safe, and yesterday one of them made the ultimate sacrifice.

“There will be justice for the officer’s family. There will be justice for our city. And there will be justice for the Chicago Police Department. The entire city and I stand with the officer’s family and loved ones, as well as the Chicago Police Department. how they cope with this tragedy.

“I will remain in constant communication with the Chicago Police Department as the investigation progresses, and we will provide updated information as it becomes available.”

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