Family holds protest after CPD officer who shot, killed Anthony Alvarez suspended instead of fired

CHICAGO (WLS) — The mom of 22-year-old Anthony Alvarez was joined by household and group members for a rally outdoors the Thompson Heart Friday after a call that permit the officer who shot and killed her son stay with the Chicago Police Division.

Thursday night time the Chicago Police Board rejected a advice to fireplace the officer and as a substitute 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 indignant 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 digicam footage of lethal Chicago police taking pictures of Anthony Alvarez launched

The Civilian Workplace of Police Accountability had really helpful 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,”stated Steven Block, a Chicago Police Board member.

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

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

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

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 a press release that stated partly: “COPA firmly stands by our investigation, findings, and advice of self-discipline of Officers Evan Solano and Sammy Encarnacion on this incident.”

The company additionally listed a collection of failures and inconsistencies by Officer Solano in the course of the incident, together with failure to activate his body-worn digicam, failure to correctly load his firearm, and performing inconsistently with coaching whereas participating in a foot pursuit 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 selections in circumstances which are tense, unsure, and quickly evolving concerning the quantity of drive that’s needed in a selected state of affairs. 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 menace, which Mr. Alvarez didn’t pose right here,” COPA stated.

The Alverez household lawyer stated they won’t cease their battle for justice.

“What was the purpose of even having COPA and this investigation if that opinion shouldn’t be being adopted and even it looks as if it is not even being considered,” stated Legal professional 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.