Chicago police announce charges in fatal shooting of fallen Officer Enrique Martinez
CHICAGO - The Chicago Police Department announced charges against a 23-year-old man in the fatal shooting of Officer Enrique Martinez at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
Darion C. McMillian faces multiple charges, including one count of first-degree murder of a police officer, one count of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder of a police officer, one count of residential burglary, one count of unlawful use of a weapon (machine gun) and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
The announcement comes just days after Martinez was shot and killed during a traffic stop in the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue in the East Chatham neighborhood.
Someone inside the vehicle started shooting as police approached, striking one officer and another occupant of the vehicle. Police said at least one officer returned fire.
The suspect tried to drive away and struck another officer at the scene. The driver then tried to run away from the car but was arrested in the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue, police said.
The officer who was shot was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Cook County medical examiner's office identified him Tuesday morning as 26-year-old Officer Enrique Martinez.
Chicago police shared this image of Martinez on social media Tuesday night:
"The Chicago Police Department is mourning the loss of a courageous hero who protected our city until the very end. We stand heartbroken alongside his family and loved ones. In grief, we will #NeverForget," the department said in the post.
The occupant of the car who was shot also died at a local hospital. His identity has not yet been released by the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Pictured is Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez.
The officer who was struck by the vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital where he was listed in fair condition.
Police took a second suspect into custody at the scene of the shooting. Two guns were recovered.
A source told FOX 32 that one of the suspects had removed his ankle monitor before the shooting.
"We have to do everything that we can to keep violent offenders off the street, especially those who are repeating these acts. If we don't do that, then we're failing our citizens. We're failing our children. We're failing their futures. We have to keep violent offenders off the street," CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said.
On Tuesday night, Chicago police confirmed one person who was taken into custody was released without charges. However, a second person remains in custody and is being questioned.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the shooting. Officers involved will be placed on administrative duties for a minimum of 30 days.
Martinez was a Southwest Side resident who worked in CPD's 6th District. He was engaged to be married, had a brother on the police force and came from a law enforcement family.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement in response to Martinez's killing, which read in part:
"I am deeply heartbroken that we lost a member of the Chicago Police Department yesterday. The entire city of Chicago joins me in mourning this profound loss.
Every day, the brave men and women of the Chicago Police Department risk their lives to keep our city safe, and yesterday, one of them made the greatest sacrifice.
There will be justice for the officer’s family. There will be justice for our city. And there will be justice for the Chicago Police Department. The whole city and I stand with the officer’s family and loved ones, as well as the Chicago Police Department as they endure this tragedy."
The Illinois State Police also released a statement in response to the officer's death:
"Our hearts are heavy with grief for the Chicago Police Officer killed in the line of duty, the Chicago Police Department, and the family who is forever changed over this senseless act of violence. ISP mourns with our brothers and sisters at CPD and we offer our deepest condolences to the officer's family."
The investigation is ongoing. We'll bring more updates as they become available.