Third officer sanctioned in Chicago fatality

Chicago police investigate a police-involved fatal shooting in the 7300 block of South Merrill Avenue in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood on Friday, July 29, 2016.
Chicago police investigate a police-involved fatal shooting in the 7300 block of South Merrill Avenue in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood on Friday, July 29, 2016.

CHICAGO -- Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson on Saturday relieved a third officer of his police powers. The action was taken after autopsy results showed that an 18-year-old theft suspect died of a gunshot wound in his back.

Johnson's move came hours after the Cook County medical examiner's office ruled the death of Paul O'Neal a homicide.

In a statement, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Johnson spent hours reviewing video evidence with other officials after the autopsy report was released.

Although a formal investigation is still ongoing, "Johnson has pledged that CPD will conduct a thorough and fact-based administrative review," Guglielmi said.

Two other officers were relieved of their powers Friday.

O'Neal, who was from Chicago, was shot Thursday night during a stolen-vehicle investigation in the city's South Shore neighborhood.

Authorities have said officers stopped a Jaguar convertible that had been reported stolen. Police said officers opened fire after the driver, identified as O'Neal, put the car in drive and sideswiped a squad car and a parked vehicle. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

O'Neal was black. Police have not provided any identifying information about the officers who were involved.

Investigators from Chicago's Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates police misconduct cases and officer-involved shootings, arrived at the scene Thursday and obtained footage from cameras that the officers were wearing or that were mounted on the squad cars. Authority spokesman Mia Sissac said the footage would be posted online within 60 days, per city policy.

A Section on 07/31/2016

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