CHICAGO — A young woman is dead and a man shot in the hand, in yet
another incident of police in America firing upon unarmed people because
they “look suspicious.”
The latest murder under color of state law took place early in the
morning last Wednesday on the west side of Chicago near Douglas Park.
According to a Chicago police union spokesperson, an off-duty cop in
their employee rolled down his car window as he passed a group of people
and told them to “quiet down.” Police and state-run media then say a
“confrontation” occurred, which they say Mr. Antonio Cross approached
the cop with a gun. This, according to police, prompted the off-duty cop
to fire upon the crowd at least five times, striking Ms. Rekia Boyd in
the head and Mr. Cross in his hand. Ms. Boyd, 22, died less than 24
hours later, while Mr. Cross was hospitalized and released. It is
unclear whether the shooter was immediately rewarded with the standard
paid vacation, aka “paid administrative leave,” or if it was rewarded
later.
Watch a report from WLS-TV (ABC 7) in Chicago.

Embed CodePlays: 1640 (Embed: 0)

It is becoming pretty clear that Mr. Cross, 39, did not have any sort
of weapon, as he was talking on his cell phone when he was shot and the
man he was speaking to and phone records corroborate that truth. Police
confiscated the phone as “evidence.” It is also clear that Ms. Boyd was
unarmed and gunned down senselessly by a power-drunken Chicago cop
thirsting for blood and a paid vacation.
Watch a WGN report which Mr. Cross (understandably angry) explains what really happened that morning.

Embed CodePlays: 1640 (Embed: 0)

Chicago Police Superintendent (Chief) Garry McCarthy and the police
union both say the murder was “justified” because their off-duty cop
identified himself as a “police officer.” There was no weapon recovered
at the scene of the murder. The Independent Police Review Authority is
conducting the routine kangaroo investigation, which should conclude
with the inevitable “justified” disposition within a few weeks.
Mr. Cross was charged with misdemeanor assault for carrying his cell
phone and now must take time out of his day and life to appear in a
Chicago court on April 11 to defend himself against state persecution.
We could not immediately confirm whether or not Ms. Boyd had children.
Our thoughts are with the Boyd family. We will also continue to follow
the proceedings the State of Illinois will force Mr. Cross to endure.

View comments (49)