The Chicago Police Department relieved an officer of his powers after he was involved in the fatal shooting of a black teenager.
The officer’s powers are removed until an investigation by the Independent Police Review Board is completed, reports WGN-TV.
Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said that he has concerns about the shooting based on available information.
“Based on the little information we know at this point, I have concerns about this incident and feel this decision is in the best interest of the Department and the people of Chicago as we await a methodical and impartial investigation into exactly what transpired,” he said in a statement Saturday.
Johnson added that removing the officer’s police powers is the most serious action that can be taken during an open investigation.
Police arrived on the scene Wednesday evening after receiving a call about a “battery in progress.” A sergeant showed up on the scene and identified himself as an officer to 19-year-old Kajuan Raye, police said.
Raye ran away and police proceeded to chase him on foot. Police maintained that Raye turned and pointed a gun twice at the officer. The sergeant fired back a few times, fatally wounding Raye.
The sergeant suffered no injuries and Raye was later pronounced dead after being taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center. An autopsy revealed that Raye died from a gunshot wound to the back.
The gun that Raye allegedly pointed at the officer has yet to be found, according to Johnson.
“We conducted and completed a grid search during the overnight hours for ballistic evidence and the offender’s weapon and we were not able to locate a weapon as of yet,” Johnson said at a news conference Thursday.
Raye’s family maintains that as a black man, Raye ran because he was scared of the police.
“He is a young black male and they are afraid of the police. They do not believe the police are there to protect and serve,” Ahkeya White, Raye’s cousin, said.
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