A Chicago police officer was released on bail after being charged with allegedly opening fire at a civilian while off duty and giving a false statement to investigators afterward.
Officer Joseph Cabrera was arguing with another person Oct. 13 in the 5200 block of South Monitor in Garfield Ridge when he allegedly opened fire, but didn’t strike anyone, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability said in a statement.
The officer was later arrested on charges of aggravated assault and making a false statement, COPA announced Wednesday.
After the Judge Susana Ortiz posted a $10,000 bond, Cabera was released under the expectation that he will not consume alcohol nor posses firearms. Ortiz said Cabera must not have contact the victim, witnesses or their families.
Cabrera, an eight-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was arrested by the Bureau of Internal Affairs Wednesday morning, police said in an emailed statement.
He was relieved of his police powers and could face additional disciplinary actions pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigations, the CPD statement said.
COPA hasn’t released video of the incident because the state’s attorney’s office requested an extension a day before its required release Dec. 10, according to COPA the statement. The new video release date is set for Friday, Jan. 8.
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COPA said it concluded the investigation into Cabrera’s use of deadly force. But the agency said it continues to investigate the actions of responding officers in the aftermath of the shooting.
Cabrera was expected to appear for a court hearing Wednesday afternoon.
