Chicago police detail arrest of Xavier Tate, accused in murder of Officer Huesca

CHICAGO - Chicago police and city leaders on Friday provided new details on what led to the arrest of an Aurora man accused of fatally shooting Officer Luis M. Huesca last month.

Xavier L. Tate, 22, was taken into custody Wednesday night by members of the Chicago Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force in Glendale Heights. A day later, Tate was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Huesca.

Tate was on the run for 10 days until he was arrested at an apartment complex in Glendale Heights.

"This past week has been unimaginable for the family of Officer Huesca. Amidst their grief, they faced the additional burden of knowing his killer was still free. That changed on Wednesday night," CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said.

Tate was accused of ambushing Huesca, who was traveling home from work, and fatally shooting him and stealing his car.

Just before 3 a.m. that Sunday, officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert near 55th Street and Kedzie Avenue, where they found Huesca suffering from multiple gunshot wounds nearby.

Huesca was located in the 3100 block of West 56th Street. He was then taken 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.

Police said Huesca did not shoot his gun during the incident.

CPD Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti said after the murder, Tate used a relative's bank card to buy a bottle of water at a store.

"Detectives identified Tate through the relative who allowed Tate to use the bank card. Both the water bottle and the clothing that Tate was wearing that day were found near where Huesca's stolen car was located," Ursitti said.

Police said Tate's DNA was detected on ballistic evidence gathered from the scene of the shooting. Tate's fingerprints were found on a fence he was seen jumping over after the murder, Ursitti said.

Ursitti said law enforcement went to Wisconsin and Iowa to look for Tate after reports that he had fled the state.

Further investigation led police to an apartment in Glendale Heights where Tate was taken into custody with Huesca's own handcuffs.

"My confidence in Supt. Snelling and Chief Ursitti and the entire police department, has been strengthened in this moment," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "I am grateful that we are moving with expediency to bring justice to the Huesca family. Again, I am deeply sorry for this loss, but yet confident that we can build a better, stronger, safer Chicago together."

Malik Murphy was charged with concealing or aiding a fugitive for allowing Tate to stay in his apartment, knowing he was wanted by Chicago police for first-degree murder.

A neighbor who lives right across the hall from where police found Tate said he was "nervous" as officers were taking him into custody Wednesday.

"I heard something, so I went to the door and I opened it and when I saw a lot of marshals, a lot of police outside the front of the door… when I saw that, I just closed right away the door," said Alejandro Goatche. 

That's when he started recording, for six minutes. But, he said, the police were there for much longer, until Tate finally surrendered. 

"There was no shooting, no yelling, everything was very quiet," said neighbor Joyce Compton. "They did a good job."

Tate's first court appearance is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Caschaus Tate, a relative of Xavier's, was arrested last week and accused of disposing of Huesca's service weapon, which has been recovered. He was charged with one felony county of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

The Huesca family released a statement on the arrest of Tate on Thursday:

As we confront a new chapter in the tragedy that began nearly two weeks ago with the murder of Officer Luis Huesca, we are profoundly grateful to the community for their overwhelming support and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. The warmth and solidarity shown by so many have provided essential comfort in the face of such a devastating loss.

We extend our immense gratitude to the men and women of the Chicago Police Department for their unwavering support and dedication to our family, with special recognition to Superintendent Larry Snelling, Chief Antoinette Ursitti, and Chicago FOP President John Catanzara for their exceptional support during our darkest hours.

We also commend the U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts. Their relentless dedication fuels our hope for swift justice for Officer Huesca.

As we place our trust in the justice system for a thorough and just resolution, the potential for lenient pre-trial release conditions that might allow a heinous murderer to walk free is deeply troubling. The vile nature of this crime and its devastating impact on our family and the community demand uncompromising pursuit of justice.

While no measure of justice can bring Officer Huesca back or fully heal our hearts, we take solace in his enduring legacy of service and bravery.

Thank you all for honoring the memory of Officer Luis Huesca.