Chicago Lori Lightfoot is calling for peace after recently release body camera footage showed a local police department shooting and killing a 13-year-old boy named Adam Toledo. The video shows an officer chasing Toledo into an alleyway. During the chase, the officer tells the teenager to show his hands. At this point, Toledo turns around with his hands up, but the officer continues to tell him to drop whatever is in his hands. From there, the officer shoots Toledo and he falls to the ground.
“As more and more people see this footage, I want to ask again that everyone tuning in right now think first and foremost about Adam Toledo, about what his family is enduring every single day since they learned of his passing. I also ask that each of us give them space to breathe," Lightfoot said minutes before the video came out.
“Even as our understanding of this incident continues to evolve, this remains a complicated and nuanced story. And we all must proceed with deep empathy and calm and, importantly, peace.”
This is not the first time the city of Chicago has had to mourn the death of a young Chicagoan at the hands of police. In recent year, names like Laquan McDonald have rang throughout the street. Not to mention, the deaths of Philando Castile, George Floyd and Daunte Wright have also taken place in midwest. The trend of people of color being killed by the police deepens the mistrust between police and marginalized communities.
“This is not something you want children to see,” Lightfoot said.
“Let yourself feel the pain and anguish and shock of these traumatic events to avoid becoming numb as you watch."
The Chicago Police Department has not yet shared the name of the officer involved. There is no word as to when or if charges will be filed.
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