Off-duty Chicago police officer fatally shot in Gage Park while returning home from work
CHICAGO - An off-duty Chicago police officer has died after being shot in Gage Park overnight while returning home from work.
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert near 55th Street and Kedzie Avenue early Sunday just before 3 a.m. and found 30-year-old Officer Luis M. Huesca suffering from multiple gunshot wounds nearby.
Responding officers found the wounded off-duty officer in the 3100 block of West 56th Street. He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:22 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
Pictured is Police Officer Luis M. Huesca.
Police say Huesca's vehicle was taken, but could not confirm if the incident that led to the shooting was a carjacking, citing that the investigation was preliminary. Snelling said Huesca was in uniform at the time of the shooting but was wearing something that covered it since he was off duty.
No arrests have yet been made in connection with the deadly shooting.
CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said Huesca was murdered just two days before his 31st birthday and he had been working for CPD for six years.
Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement Sunday morning expressing his condolences. He identified the fallen officer as Luis M. Huesca of the 5th District/Priority Response Team.
"I met with Officer Huesca’s mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have the full support of my administration as they deal with this unspeakable loss. Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis’ fellow officers and community," Johnson said.
Area One detectives are investigating. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Chicago will assist with the investigation.
The City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management & Communications released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, remembering the fallen officer.
On Sunday evening, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statement on the officer's death:
"A terrible loss as we cope with the death of Officer Luis M. Huesca, who was just two days shy of his 31st birthday. Thinking of his family and fellow officers as we mourn the passing of a dedicated officer. May his memory be a blessing and his service never forgotten," Pritzker said.
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the suspect's arrest.