Woman 'Accidentally' Shot Dead By Chicago Cop
A mother-of-five who was shot dead by a
Chicago police officer was "accidentally"
struck by gunfire, the embattled police
department has said.
Bettie Jones, 55, was
one of two people
fatally wounded early on Saturday after officers
responded to a domestic violence call on the
city's West Side.
Chicago police said in a statement that officers
"were confronted by a combative subject
resulting in the discharging of the officer's
weapon".
Quintonio LeGrier, 19, was also fatally shot by
police
"The 55-year-old female victim was accidentally
struck and tragically killed," the statement
added.
The department, which is already facing intense
scrutiny over the use of deadly force, said it
extended its "deepest condolences to the
victim's family and friends".
Quintonio LeGrier, 19, who lived upstairs from
Ms Jones, was also fatally wounded and later
died in hospital. Authorities said the college
student, who was home on holiday break,
prompted the domestic violence call.
His mother, Janet Cooksey, told the Chicago
Tribune her son was not armed with a gun.
"He had a bat," she said.
Mr LeGrier's father, told the Chicago Sun-Times
his son had attempted to bust through his
bedroom door, prompting him to call police.
Antonio LeGrier said he also called Ms Jones to
warn her that his son was a "little irate" and to
not open her door unless police arrived.
When officers did arrive, the teen's father said
he heard Ms Jones yell, "Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
just before gunshots rang out.
He said he made his way downstairs where he
found his son and Ms Jones lying in the foyer.
The shooting comes amid a federal civil rights
investigation into the Chicago Police
Department's use of deadly force.
Video: Chicago Protests After Shooting
The probe was launched earlier this month after
the release of a video showing a white officer
shooting black 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16
times in 2014.
The officer, Jason Van Dyke, is charged with
first-degree murder.
Both Ms Jones and Mr LeGrier were black.
Police have not revealed the race of the police
officer involved in Saturday's fatal shooting.
The case is being investigated by the city's main
police oversight agency, said Chicago Mayor
Rahm Emanuel, who has faced calls to stand
down amid the accusations of police
misconduct.
Reverend Marshall Hatch said in a statement
early on Sunday that the latest shooting showed
how "deeply dysfunctional the relationship is
between this department and its citizens".
He added: "We need relief in Chicago."
Relatives of Mr LeGrier, including his mother,
wore sweatshirts adorned with "Rahm Failed Us"
during a prayer vigil held in honour of both
victims on Sunday.
Chicago police officer was "accidentally"
struck by gunfire, the embattled police
department has said.
Bettie Jones, 55, was
one of two people
fatally wounded early on Saturday after officers
responded to a domestic violence call on the
city's West Side.
Chicago police said in a statement that officers
"were confronted by a combative subject
resulting in the discharging of the officer's
weapon".
Quintonio LeGrier, 19, was also fatally shot by
police
"The 55-year-old female victim was accidentally
struck and tragically killed," the statement
added.
The department, which is already facing intense
scrutiny over the use of deadly force, said it
extended its "deepest condolences to the
victim's family and friends".
Quintonio LeGrier, 19, who lived upstairs from
Ms Jones, was also fatally wounded and later
died in hospital. Authorities said the college
student, who was home on holiday break,
prompted the domestic violence call.
His mother, Janet Cooksey, told the Chicago
Tribune her son was not armed with a gun.
"He had a bat," she said.
Mr LeGrier's father, told the Chicago Sun-Times
his son had attempted to bust through his
bedroom door, prompting him to call police.
Antonio LeGrier said he also called Ms Jones to
warn her that his son was a "little irate" and to
not open her door unless police arrived.
When officers did arrive, the teen's father said
he heard Ms Jones yell, "Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
just before gunshots rang out.
He said he made his way downstairs where he
found his son and Ms Jones lying in the foyer.
The shooting comes amid a federal civil rights
investigation into the Chicago Police
Department's use of deadly force.
Video: Chicago Protests After Shooting
The probe was launched earlier this month after
the release of a video showing a white officer
shooting black 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16
times in 2014.
The officer, Jason Van Dyke, is charged with
first-degree murder.
Both Ms Jones and Mr LeGrier were black.
Police have not revealed the race of the police
officer involved in Saturday's fatal shooting.
The case is being investigated by the city's main
police oversight agency, said Chicago Mayor
Rahm Emanuel, who has faced calls to stand
down amid the accusations of police
misconduct.
Reverend Marshall Hatch said in a statement
early on Sunday that the latest shooting showed
how "deeply dysfunctional the relationship is
between this department and its citizens".
He added: "We need relief in Chicago."
Relatives of Mr LeGrier, including his mother,
wore sweatshirts adorned with "Rahm Failed Us"
during a prayer vigil held in honour of both
victims on Sunday.
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