Chicago Police Are Under Fire Once Again; The O’Neal Family Files Law Suit- blogged by @niksofly

The family of 18 year old #PaulONeal has filed a federal civil rights suit against the #ChicagoPoliceDepartment, citing the officers fired at the alleged suspect “without lawful justification or excuse.”

On Thursday, 18- year old #PaulONeal was fatally shot in the back while fleeing police. He was unarmed. O’Neal allegedly led police on a chase through the south side of #Chicago before fleeing on foot. O’Neal was said to be driving a Jaguar S-Type convertible – a car he was suspected of stealing.

#CNN notes that “police cannot legally shoot fleeing suspects unless they pose a threat to an officer’s life or unless the officer has a good faith belief the suspect poses a substantial danger to the public.”

The police were wearing body cameras, however the cameras did not record the incident. Three of the four police officers involved have been relieved of police powers. The investigation is now being reviewed by the Independent Police Review Authority which should complete its review within 60 days.

Chicago Police Superintendent, #EddieJohnson stated, “Having been in shootings and car chases myself, I know how quickly you have to make those decisions. So if it’s an honest mistake, we’ll get them training, coaching, mentoring and get them back out there. But if it was intentional misconduct then they have to be held accountable for it.”

Johnson admitted to being troubled by the shooting, but maintained that he had not come into any “firm conclusions”, local media KCCI reports. Reviewing the footage available, Johnson noted on Sunday that, “After this review, I am left with more questions than answers. As it appears right now, departmental policies may have been violated during the incident.

Michael Oppenheimer, the attorney for the O’Neal family is concerned with the body cameras not recording and/or failing. At a press conference Monday, Oppenheimer stated, “The police department is now saying that these brand new body cameras that are supposed to save the world and give the police and the public transparency, did not work. We have also heard that the police department or the police took off their body cams or disconnected them.” He continued,
“Either way… when all of a sudden, there is a police shooting where they execute a kid in the back of the head, who is unarmed, how convenient that they don’t work?”

Paul O’Neal is a new name in the growing distrust between Chicago Police and the community. In 2014 it was #LaquanMcDonald. After the police coverup scandal with McDonald, a new police policy was enacted where all video (dash and body cam) be released within 60 days. #BallerAlert #InTheNews

-Niko Rose