Chicago police on Sunday said an officer was gunned down in the Southwest Side overnight while heading home from his shift.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed that Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot around 3 a.m. in the 3100 block of West 56th Street. The officer was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
Officer Huesca was two days shy of his 31st birthday and a six-year veteran of the department, the top cop said.
“He was just a great officer, great human being, and his family is dealing with a lot right now,” Superintendent Snelling said. He added later that “these are senseless, senseless crimes that are taking the lives of our community members, today of one of our officers.”
Police are still trying to figure out how the shooting erupted, and how many suspects were involved. Superintendent Snelling provided no names or other identifying information about suspects except to say nobody was in custody.
Authorities said Officer Huesca — who was still in uniform — had his personal car stolen during the incident, though officials didn’t say whether he was carjacked before the deadly shooting.
Police also said 30 shots were fired during the fracas, but it’s unclear if any of those shots came from the officer.
The officer’s car was later recovered, police said, however his gun and badge weren’t found at the scene.
“I met with Officer Huesca’s mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have the full support of my administration as they deal with this unspeakable loss,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis’ fellow officers and community.”