Man arrested after Chicago police officer killed by friendly fire
A man has been arrested in connection to a June 5 shooting that killed Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera.
The Chicago Police Department announced on June 8 that Adrian Rucker, 25, has been charged with four felonies related to the incident. The charges include one count each of armed violence, possessing a firearm without a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card, possessing a fraudulent ID card and possession of an amount of a controlled substance. He was also apprehended for six outstanding warrants.
Rivera, 36, was killed by friendly fire when she and other officers were pursuing a suspect around 10 p.m. local time on June 5, CPD said. During the encounter, another officer discharged their weapon and accidentally struck Rivera.
She was transported to the hospital where she died from her injuries, CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a press conference.
Officers were confronted by a rifle before fatal shooting
Before the shooting, Rivera and other officers were attempting to stop a male suspect they believed to be armed in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue in Chicago, Snelling said at the press conference.
The suspect fled on foot, and the officers pursued him, following him into an apartment.
"When the officers followed into that location, they were then confronted by a second person who was in that apartment, who was armed with a rifle pointed at the officers," Snelling said.
At some point during the encounter, one of the other officers discharged their weapon, striking Rivera, CPD said in the June 8 release.
Rucker was later identified as the suspect who allegedly aimed a rifle at officers, CPD said. The other suspect involved in the pursuit was also charged and placed into custody, according to CPD.
During a court appearance on June 8, a judge denied Rucker's release in a courtroom filled with fellow officers, according to CBS News Chicago and Chicago Sun Times.
Rucker is expected to appear in court again on June 10 and June 12, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office website.
Slain Chicago police officer was 'young, vibrant and a hard worker'
Rivera had been on the job for four years, Snelling said. She left behind a young daughter.
Snelling said Rivera was "young, vibrant and a hard worker."
"She did great work, and if you talk to anyone on her team, they would tell you how great of a worker she was," he said.
He also asked for prayers for Rivera's family and emphasized "the risk that she took every single day when she came out to do her job."
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also said during the press conference that the city is "mourning and grieving together over this tragic loss."
"Her young, energetic and bold approach towards keeping us safe is the memory that we will honor," Johnson said.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for Paste BN. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.