Chicago Police Armory: CPD Officer Enrique Martinez among 2 killed in East Chatham near E. 80th St., South Ingleside Avenue

CHICAGO (WLS) — Tuesday was and continues to be a very emotional day not only for everyone who works at Precinct 6 and knew Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, but for the community at large.

Dozens of people gathered in the district Tuesday afternoon to express their grief and support.

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Dozens of people began pouring into Chicago’s 6th Precinct police station, including St. Sabina Father Michael Pfleger, just before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Although ABC7 cameras were not allowed to stay for the prayer vigil that followed, it was clearly an emotional moment for the officers in attendance, who are mourning one of their own, Martinez, 26, on Tuesday.

“We’re all in this together. We are a family. And I told them that there. You are not strangers. You are our brothers, our sister, our friends. And that’s how we have to start seeing each other,” Pfleger said.

A nearly three-year veteran of the department, Martinez was killed Monday night just after 8 p.m. while he and others were conducting a traffic stop in East Chatham.

According to the police, there were three people inside the car. One of them, police said, opened fire on Martinez, killing him and the front seat occupant. That person’s identity has not been released.

“He was a proud individual, very hardworking. And he gave his life for this city,” CPD suspect. Larry Snelling said of Martinez.

The alleged shooter initially attempted to flee the scene, striking a second officer with his vehicle in the process.

“What we are asking for and what we anticipate and expect is a swift call to justice to ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are brought to justice. And the individuals who continue to seek terror in our city, we will hold you accountable,” the mayor. Brandon Johnson said in a late news conference Monday.

That person was later taken into custody, Snelling said.

“We will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We will do the best investigation we can, collect all the evidence to make sure we remove such people so they never see the light of day. day again,” Snelling said.

Another person, who was in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the shooting, was also taken into custody. That passenger, who was not involved in the shooting, was later released, police said Tuesday.

While details are still under investigation, Snelling confirmed that one of the people in the vehicle had an ankle monitor that had been disconnected.

“We need to do everything we can to keep violent offenders off the street, especially repeat offenders,” Snelling said. “If we don’t do that, then we are giving ourselves to the citizens. We give ourselves to our children. We are failing their future. We need to keep violent criminals off the streets.”

Johnson offered his condolences as he joined Snelling and others outside the University of Chicago Medical Center Monday night.

“We are calling on all residents of this city to pray for this family. But I also appeal to the residents of this city to put our arms around each other and especially our police department,” Johnson said.

Police said they recovered two guns, including one with an extended magazine.

“We have to say, ‘Enough.’ We cannot continue to show up in police precinct after police precinct seeing our officers get shot,” said 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez.

The exact circumstances of the traffic stop have not been released.

Police said one of the officers on the scene was able to return fire, but it’s unclear if anyone was hit as a result.

“At this point, we know there was an officer who discharged his weapon at the scene. Those officers’ weapons are still being examined right now,” Snelling said. “There is evidence to recover. And that’s all the information we have right now.”

News of the suspect’s ankle monitor prompted Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara to call for more accountability in crime-fighting efforts.

“Does my face look surprised?” Catanzara said. “Unfortunately, it’s not. In this county, in this city, it’s just the status quo. Again, they’re allowed to do whatever they want to do and you keep making excuses.”

The 6th District is one of the most violent neighborhoods in Chicago. In the past 12 months, 2,053 violent crimes (homicide, felonious sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated assault) were reported in the district.

It has the third-highest violent crime rate of any district in the city, with 237 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, behind District 7 and District 11. However, violent crime is up 5.4% over the past 12 months three, compared to the previous average. three years.

However, some violent crimes, such as homicides and shootings, have declined in the district.

• There were 63 homicides in the 6th District in the past 12 months: seven homicides per 100,000 people, down 11.3 percent from the three-year average.
• 652 robberies in District 6 in the last 12 months: 75 robberies per 100,000 people, up 10.8% from the three-year average
• 247 shootings (both fatal and non-fatal) in the last 12 months: 28 shootings per 100,000 people, down 21.4% from the three-year average

Traffic stops like the one Martinez was conducting when he was killed have become part of a disturbing trend in Chicago.

Retired CPD Sergeant Tracy Quarles was on the job for 25 years. He said his best friend and fellow officer was killed years ago in a traffic stop.

“I’ve seen officer-involved shootings, officers that have been shot from my first day on the job to watching the news last night,” Quarles said Tuesday. “I let it seep into my mind. In terms of seeing friends and colleagues at work, to going to numerous funerals over the years.”

Councilwoman Silvana Tabares, who represents Ward 23, wants more to be done to protect citizens and officers.

Her husband is a CPD officer. She sees the department losing experienced officers.

Martinez is the fourth officer to die in the line of duty in the past two years. Officer Luis Huesca was killed in April 2024, Officer Aréanah Preston was killed in May 2023 and Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso he was killed in March 2023.

“We’ve lost a lot of young officers, a lot of young Latino officers in the last year and a half. With Officer Vásquez Lasso and Officer Huesca and now Officer Martinez, it’s very tragic. It’s very sad for our city and it’s heartbreaking,” Tabares said.

Martinez’s death brought back tragic memories for Gold Star families, such as the family of Officer Thomas Wortham, who was shot and killed in 2010.

His sister, Sandra Wortham, said she was listening to police scanners Monday night.

“Obviously, heartbreaking, another nightmare, really unbelievable that we’re here again with one of our officers being taken from us,” Wortham said. “We have to be realistic about what we’re dealing with here, our public safety challenge, and we have to be realistic about the fix, because all our lives depend on it, and it’s not an exaggeration.”

A somber procession was held for Martinez early Tuesday as a line of police vehicles escorted his body to the medical examiner’s office.

Martinez leaves behind a heartbroken family, including, ABC7 is told, a fiancee and a brother who is also on the police force.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating.

The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office released a statement about the shooting, saying “The Will County Prosecutor’s Office is cooperating with the Office of State Prejudice Services and the Chicago Police Department with any assistance necessary in its investigation into the shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez. this ongoing Chicago Police Department investigation.”

The CPD issued a statement, saying: “The Chicago Police Department mourns the loss of a brave hero who protected our city until the end. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. Grieving, we will #NeverForget.”

Johnson released a statement, saying: “I am deeply heartbroken that we lost a member of the Chicago Police Department yesterday. The entire city of Chicago joins me in mourning this profound loss.

“Every day, the brave men and women of the Chicago Police Department put their lives on the line to keep the city safe, and yesterday, one of them made the ultimate sacrifice.

“There will be justice for the officer’s family. There will be justice for our city. And there will be justice for the Chicago Police Department. The entire city and I stand with the officer’s family and loved ones, as well as the Chicago Police Department. as he endures this tragedy.

“I will remain in constant communication with the Chicago Police Department as the investigation unfolds and we will provide updates as they become available.”

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