Chicago Police Board rejects recommendation to fire officer who shot, killed Anthony Alvarez

As an alternative, the board adopted Superintendent David Brown’s proposal to droop the officer for 20 days.

Alvarez’s mom stated listening to the board’s choice introduced again reminiscences no mom needs to relive.

“I am bothered and offended by the choice,” stated Alverez’s mom, Veronica Alvarez.

The taking pictures occurred throughout a foot chase in March of 2021.

Physique-camera video confirmed that Alvarez appeared to have a weapon in his proper hand, which then fell to the bottom.

RELATED| Physique digital camera footage of lethal Chicago police taking pictures of Anthony Alvarez launched

The Civilian Workplace of Police Accountability had beneficial that Officer Evan Solano be fired.

“It’s my opinion that the Superintendent met the burden of overcoming the chief Administrator’s suggestions of self-discipline,” the board stated.

In a abstract of opinion from the board, they referred to as Officer Solano’s use of drive towards Alvarez “objectively affordable” primarily based off the circumstances.

READ: Chicago Police Board Self-discipline of Officer Evan Solano

As an alternative of firing the officer, they referred to as a 20-day employment suspension proposed by Superintendent David Brown, quote, “extra affordable.”

In an announcement Thursday night time, the Alvarez household stated it is “appalled” by the choice, and can proceed to hunt justice.

“Right this moment’s choice will not be solely a gut-punch to the Alvarez household, however it perpetuates the message that encounters with the Chicago Police Division stay doubtlessly deadly,” the household added.

The transfer was made official at Thursday’s police board assembly.

RELATED | New Chicago police foot pursuit coverage outlined by Supt. David Brown

Following the assembly, COPA launched an announcement that stated partly: “COPA firmly stands by our investigation, findings, and suggestion of self-discipline of Officers Evan Solano and Sammy Encarnacion on this incident.”

The company additionally listed a sequence of failures and inconsistencies by Officer Solano throughout the incident, together with failure to activate his body-worn digital camera, failure to correctly load his firearm, and performing inconsistently with coaching whereas partaking in a foot pursit of Alverez.

READ FULL COPA STATEMENT

“COPA acknowledges the dangers Division members face when pursuing topics who’re holding firearms and that these circumstances require officers to make split-second decisions-in circumstances which can be tense, unsure, and quickly evolving-about the quantity of drive that’s obligatory in a selected scenario. Nonetheless, Division coverage doesn’t allow Division members to make use of lethal drive on a topic who flees with a firearm absent an imminent risk, which Mr. Alvarez didn’t pose right here,” COPA stated.

The Alverez household legal professional stated they won’t cease their combat for justice.

“What was the purpose of even having COPA and this investigation if that opinion will not be being adopted and even it looks like it isn’t even being considered,” stated Lawyer Tania Dimitrova.

The household stated they plan to take their anger out into the streets Friday, calling for an emergency protest downtown tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.