Chicago police shooting: Harvey man Darion McMillian charged with murder of police officer Enrique Martinez in East Chatham

CHICAGO (WLS) — Murder charges against a young Chicago police officer were announced Wednesday.

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Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez, 26, was killed Monday night just after 8 p.m. while he and others were conducting a traffic stop in the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue in East Chatham.

According to police, there were three people in the car. The occupant of the back seat pulled a gun from under the seat and fatally shot Martinez and the 23-year-old driver, who has not yet been identified, police said.

The alleged shooter, identified by police Wednesday as 23-year-old Darion McMillian of Harvey, initially tried to flee the scene, dragging away a second officer in his vehicle.

Police say he broke into the woman’s apartment to disable his electronic surveillance device used in the Will County case.

CPD said the gun used had a switch that made the semi-automatic weapon fully automatic.

McMillian was later taken into custody in the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue, Snelling said.

Snelling announced charges in the shooting Wednesday afternoon along with Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

CPD announced charges Wednesday afternoon after Officer Enrique Martinez was killed in the line of duty Monday night.

McMillian faces charges of first-degree murder of a police officer, first-degree murder, attempted murder of a police officer, burglary of a dwelling, unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated use of a weapon by a felon.

A message from Chicago officials Wednesday offered support for the officer’s family and a call for change.

“On Monday night, our department and our city lost a hero when Officer Enrique Martinez was shot and killed while protecting the city of Chicago. Today is the first step in bringing his killer to justice,” Snelling said. “We must take seriously the gun violence that is currently happening in the city; it is the only way to protect the lives of our citizens, protect the lives of our officers, and reduce violence and murder. and shooting.”

The emotional toll was palpable Wednesday at the Chicago Police Department.

“Officer Martinez saved lives even though he knew it could have cost him his life,” Johnson said.

“We have a gun problem and we have had it for a very long time. So when we have an overproliferation of guns, the likelihood of a fatality increases,” Fox said.

McMillian is due in court on Thursday. More details about what led up to the shooting and what happened after will likely emerge then.

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