A person was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer on the city's West Side Saturday morning, following an encounter that police said began as part of a "de-escalation mission for a gang conflict."
In a media briefing Saturday afternoon, a police spokesperson said that officers were present near the 3800 block of West Flournoy Street just before 10 a.m. as part of a de-escalation mission when they observed a group of individuals near a vehicle when one person, a male of an unknown age, was seen leaning into a vehicle.
Police said a foot pursuit then began, with the person running away from police down an alleyway when officers said he turned around and brandished a handgun.
According to police, an officer then opened fire, striking the person an unknown amount of times.
After aid was rendered, the person was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced dead. While the individual who died hasn't been officially identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, family identified him as Reginald Clay, Jr.
He leaves behind a 3-year-old daughter and a family searching for answers.
“A little numb right now, I am a little confused right now upset,” said Clay Jr.'s father, Reginald Clay.
Local
Donnotello Taylor told NBC 5 he was with Clay Jr. when the shooting occurred.
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“They had jumped out of the car, my brother was on the car, he was talking to one of my homies that was on the car, he backed up, he was walking away, so I guess he was nervous or something, he walked away, and then he ran,” Taylor recounted.
Police said a handgun was recovered at the scene.
Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the shooting, and the officers involved will be placed on 30-day administrative leave.