Chicago police officer, 30, shot dead overnight while heading home from work: ‘Another sad day’

An off-duty Chicago cop was shot and killed as he came home from work early Sunday in what the police superintendent called “another sad day” for the Windy City.

Cops responded to a gunshot detection alert in the Gage Park neighborhood at about 3 a.m., according to a statement from police.

When officers arrived, they found one of their own — Luis M. Huesca, 30 — with several gunshot wounds, police and the mayor’s office said.

They rushed him to the University of Chicago Hospital, but the six-year department vet did not make it, according to NBC 5 Chicago.

“The officer was the victim of the type of crime that he was working against to keep people safe in this city,” police Superintendent Larry Snelling said. “Another sad day for the Chicago Police Department.”

Crooks also stole Huesca’s car, but police wouldn’t confirm if the shooting was a result of a carjacking.

Authorities didn’t offer a potential motive, and do not have a suspect in custody.

Snelling told reporters that Huesca — who was just a few days shy of his 31st birthday — was still in uniform but wore something over it, as is customary for off-duty cops.

He added that the slain cop was “just a great officer, a great human being,” according to NBC.

“We really need to keep the family, his mother, in our prayers,” Snelling said. “These are senseless, senseless crimes that have taken the lives of our community members, today one of our officers.

“There are people who are brazen and cowardly in the way that they go about their days, and carry out these violent acts against decent, hard-working people in this city,” the superintendent continued. “We’re just trying to live their lives the right way.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson said he met with Huesca’s mom and uncle Sunday morning to assure them that they have “the full support of my administration as they deal with this unspeakable loss.

“No family or community should ever have to suffer such pain,” Johnson said in a statement, adding that the shooting was an “act of unconscionable gun violence,” according to NBC.

“Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis’ fellow officers and community,” the mayor said.

The circumstances that led to the shooting are still unclear. Snelling said the police investigation is still in its infancy.

On Sunday, detectives gathered at the scene to mark out spots and put evidence in plastic bags, the Chicago Tribune said.

The killing also terrified locals, who said Gage Park isn’t normally like that.

“The caution tape goes down two or three blocks,” resident Maria Jose told the Tribune in Spanish. “It’s usually so tranquil around here. I feel scared.”

Huesca is the third Chicago cop to be shot this year — and the first fatality, the Tribune said.

With Post wires