Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith has made recordings over the past decade that celebrate uplifting movements, such as the Occupy protests and the civil rights struggle, and great jazz musicians, including Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. At first glance Sun Beans of Shimmering Light, a six-year-old concert recording of a group that played just a handful of times between 2012 and 2015, appears more modest.…Read More
A composite of photos from various bodycams released by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. | COPA
Based on the newly released videos and audio, as well as original reporting, this shows the slowly-changing narrative involving Toledo’s death.
In the early hours of March 29, a police officer shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
More than two weeks later, after conflicting reports from public officials about the incident and calls for the release of more information, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability released video footage and audio it had obtained during its investigation.
The timeline of what the police and authorities knew — and what they were telling the public — that follows is based on police bodycam video, 911 calls, ShotSpotter audio, and case reports, along with original reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times.
* * *
On March 26, Adam’s mother, Elizabeth Toledo, reported him missing to the police. The next day, when police arrived to talk to her about her missing son, she said Adam had returned and police closed the file. Either later that evening or early March 28, Adam leaves home again.
Elizabeth Toledo didn’t report him missing again, police said.
Note: The time markers below are written in an hour:minute:second format, as the altercation lasted only seven and a half minutes.
Before Police Arrive
March 29, 2021
Around 2:35:00 a.m.
Note: This time is based on a camera from the Armor De Dios United Methodist Church which had an incorrect time of 4:24 a.m. This camera’s timestamp is incorrect by roughly 1 hour and 49 minutes.
Based on a video from a Little Village church, Adam and 21-year-old Ruben Roman are seen walking toward the corner of 24th Street and Sawyer Avenue, where police allege Roman fires shots at a target out of view. After the shots, Adam and Roman leave the scene.
2:36:39 a.m.
A witness calls 911 saying he heard seven or eight shots fired in the 2300 block of South Sawyer Avenue and mentioning there was “a lot of commotion.”
2:38:20 a.m.
A male and a female officer with the Chicago Police Department arrive on the scene.
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityResponding male and female officers exit vehicle (via male officer body camera).
Police Arrive
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityAdam Toledo (left) and Ruben Roman are seen in the alley as police give chase, in this still taken from video from the female officer’s body camera and released by COPA.
2:38:20 a.m.
Body-camera footage shows the male and female officers begin chasing Adam and Roman in an alley. At this point, there is no audio available from the officer’s bodycam.
2:38:27 a.m.
The male officer knocks Roman to the ground, causing him to drop a pair of red gloves. The female officer then detains Roman.
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityRoman is tackled by the male officer. (via female officer body camera)
2:38:34 a.m
Audio from the bodycams kicks in, and the male officer chasing Adam can be heard yelling at him to stop.
2:38:37 a.m
The male officer catches up to Adam, who appears to have stopped running near a gap in a fence between the alley and a parking lot behind Farragut Career Academy High School. The male officer points a strobe flashlight at the boy.
2:38:38 a.m.
The male officer shouts, “Hands! Show me your f- – -ing hands!”
2:38:39 a.m.
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityA frame from a police bodycam video of Adam Toledo appears to show him holding a gun just before he was shot.
Bodycam footage shows Adam turning toward the officer with what appears to be a gun in his right hand at his side.
Video overlooking the alley, appears to show Adam tossing something behind fence.(via Lawndale Christian Health Center camera.)
A security camera along the Lawndale Christian Health Center building captures video of Adam apparently tossing something behind a fence.
2:38:40 a.m.
Adam raises his hands; he now appears unarmed. The male officer fires one bullet at Adam from a close distance. Adam falls to the ground.
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityMoment before Adam Toledo is shot by male officer (via male officer body camera)
2:38:45 a.m.
The male officer walks towards Adam and radios for an ambulance.
2:38:50 a.m.
“Look at me. Look at me. You all right? Where you shot?” the male officer says to Adam, who is unresponsive. The male officer lifts up Adam’s sweatshirt to look for a wound and tells Adam, “Stay with me.”
2:39:20 a.m.
The male officer radios for someone to bring him a medical kit.
2:39:22 a.m.
At the other end of the alley, the female officer cuffs Roman as more police arrive. Roman is searched.
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityRoman being handcuffed by female officer (via female officer body camera)
2:39:41 a.m.
The male officer describes Adam’s wounds to a group of newly arrived officers (just offscreen of his bodycam) as they prepare equipment including a chest seal, gloves and vacuum pack.
2:40:00 a.m.
Police shout for Adam to stay awake as they prepare to resuscitate him.
2:40:04 a.m.
The shooting officer tells the assisting officers he doesn’t feel a heartbeat and is going to begin CPR.
2:40:12 a.m.
Police begin to perform CPR on Adam.
2:40:18 a.m.
The female officer runs toward the location of the shooting.
2:42:09 a.m.
The shooting officer walks away from the scene and his body camera shows what appears to be a gun on the other side of the fence from the shooting.
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityA gun can be seen along the fence line in a view from the male officer’s bodycamera.
2:42:56 a.m.
Officers receive a radio confirmation that an ambulance is heading their way as the shooting officer looks out at the parking lot.
2:44:27 a.m.
The female officer asks the shooting officer, “Do you want to sit down?” and suggests getting some water. The shooting officer sits and then appears to become emotional and covers his face.
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityShadows of the female and male officer along the fence (via female officer body camera).
2:44:23 a.m.
Paramedics arrive on the scene.
Civilian Office of Police AccountabilityParamedics arrive (via newly arrived officer body camera)
2:45:50 a.m.
A police supervisor radios into officers on the scene to turn off their body cameras.
Aftermath
Roman was taken into custody and charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. He was released from police custody a few hours later.
5:01:00 a.m.
CPD spokesman Tom Ahern tweets about the shooting, the first official statement from police. In his tweets Ahern refers to it as an “armed confrontation” and shares a photo of a gun police say they recovered at the scene.
Officers observed two subjects in a nearby alley, one subject fled on foot which resulted in an armed confrontation. One subject shot and killed. 2nd subject in custody. Gun recovered on scene. COPA investigating. #ChicagoPolicepic.twitter.com/bn7o2deAGS
Adam’s body is removed by Allied Services and taken to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
6:29 a.m.
The Sun-Times and other news outlets first write about the incident. Adam’s identity still isn’t known. Police said he was not carrying an ID or cellphone.
Wednesday, March 31
Two days after Adam was killed, police contacted his mother, Elizabeth Toledo, and asked for a photo of her son after they find a closed missing person’s report from the weekend, a police spokesman told the Sun-Times. A half hour later, they knocked on her door and asked her to come identify a body at the Cook County medical examiner’s office that matched her son’s description.
COPA says initially it is prevented from publicly releasing videos involving a juvenile but says in a statement later that evening that officials were “making every effort and researching all legal avenues that will allow for the public release of all video materials which capture the tragic fatal shooting.”
Monday, April 5
At a press conference, Lightfoot, who says she hasn’t seen the videos but says they were described to her, repeatedly says Adam had a gun and blames the adult who gave it to him. “An adult put a gun in a child’s hand. … A weapon that could and did irreparably change the course of his life,” the mayor says.
Wednesday, April 7
Judge Timothy Chambers issues an arrest warrant for Roman after he doesn’t show for a court hearing in connection to a 2019 gun case.
Friday, April 9
Roman is taken back into custody after police allegedly find him hiding in a closet in a building in west suburban Maywood.
Adam, a seventh-grader at Gary Elementary School, is laid to rest in a private ceremony.
Saturday, April 10
During a bail hearing for Roman, James Murphy, a Cook County prosecutor, says Adam had a gun in his head before police shot him. Roman is charged with felonies including reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, child endangerment and violating probation.
Murphy says in a proffer that the Ruger 9mm handgun found near Adam had previously been used by Roman. The prosecutor further says: “The officer tells [Adam] to drop it as [Adam] turns towards the officer. [Adam] has a gun in his right hand.”
Murphy says after Adam was shot once by the officer, “[t]he gun that [Adam] was holding landed against the fence a few feet away.”
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office says prosecutor James Murphy had “failed to fully inform himself” before Ruben’s weekend court hearing when Murphy said Adam had a gun in his hand at the time of the shooting.
Noon
During a news conference at City Hall Lightfoot says “Simply put, we failed Adam. And we cannot afford to fail one more young person in our city . . . We must do more to help children like Adam before they end up in encounters like this one.”
Cook County Prosecutor James Murphy is placed on administrative leave because the state’s attorney’s office says he “failed to fully present the facts,” the state’s attorney’s office said.
It’s almost time for the 2021 NFL Draft, and this isn’t Ryan Pace’s first rodeo. The ChicagoBears are in an eerily similar position they once were, just four years ago. Four years ago, the Bears went out and signed free agent Mike Glennon, who was coming off an up-and-down tenure with the Tampa Bay […]
At least three people were killed and 22 others wounded in shootings since 5 p.m. April 23, 2021 in Chicago. | Sun-Times file photo
Bryone Dupart was found lying unresponsive on the street Friday night in the 900 block of West 61st Street.
Three people were killed and 22 others wounded in shootings across Chicago this weekend, including a man who was killed Friday night in Englewood on the South Side.
About 10:35 p.m., officers found the 27-year-old lying unresponsive on the street in the 900 block of West 61st Street, Chicago police said.
He had suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen and leg and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
He was identified as Bryone Dupart by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
There were no witnesses to the shooting and no additional details available, according to police.
A 36-year-old man was shot to death early Sunday in Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side.
Duntae Manuel was sitting in a vehicle about 12:30 a.m. in the 3900 block of West Thomas Street when the gunman approached him on foot and fired shots, police said.
He was shot in the head and body and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t yet released details on his death.
Hours earlier, a 30-year-old woman was fatally shot late Saturday in Roseland on the Far South Side.
About 10:20 p.m., she was in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in the 500 block of East 103rd Street, when shots were fired, police said. She was struck in the head, body, and rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on her death.
In nonfatal attacks, a 16-year-old boy was hurt in a shooting early Monday in West Pullman in the Far South Side.
The teen boy was standing on the sidewalk about 2:45 a.m. in the first block of East Kensington Avenue when someone inside a dark-colored vehicle fired shots, police said. He was shot in the leg and self-transported in good condition to St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond, Indiana, police said.
Officers initially said the boy was killed in the incident, according to police.
On Saturday, a man was shot in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The 62-year-old was standing outside about 6:10 a.m. in the 3900 block of West Monroe Street when someone opened fire, striking him in the leg, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital.
Also Saturday, another 16-year-old boy was shot in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
About 5:10 p.m., he was standing in the 3300 block of West 28th Street, when a vehicle approached, two people got out and fired shots, police said. He was struck in both legs, the hand, and rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital in good condition.
At least 19 others were wounded in shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
A 16-year-old boy was shot April 26, 2021 in West Pullman.
The teen boy was standing on the sidewalk Monday in the first block of East Kensington Avenue when someone inside a dark-colored vehicle fired shots.
A 16-year-old boy was hurt in a shooting early Monday in West Pullman in the Far South Side.
The teen boy was standing on the sidewalk about 2:45 a.m. in the first block of East Kensington Avenue when someone inside a dark-colored vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said.
He was shot in the leg and self-transported in good condition to St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond, Indiana, police said.
Officers initially said the boy was killed in the incident, according to police.
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot April 26, 2021 in West Pullman.
The teen boy was standing on the sidewalk Monday in the first block of East Kensington Avenue when someone inside a dark-colored vehicle fired shots.
A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot early Monday in West Pullman in the Far South Side.
The teen boy was standing on the sidewalk about 2:45 a.m. in the first block of East Kensington Avenue when someone inside a dark-colored vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said.
He was shot in the leg and self-transported to St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond, Indiana, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on his death.
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
Avoid shopping or important decisions from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Libra into Scorpio where the full moon will peak at 10:32 p.m.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today you have high energy for financial discussions about shared property, inheritances, insurance matters and anything that provokes you to defend your best interests. Nobody will get the drop on you — no way. You’re on it!
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Discussions with partners and close friends will be lively and to the point. Admittedly, you might attract someone who is emotionally intense. If this is the case, you will give as good as you get because you are also emotionally charged today, as well.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
You will get an enormous amount done at work today because you are confident and proactive. You want to tear things down to the basics so that you can rebuild them in a better way. In other words, you want a superior result.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
With Mars in your sign, you are energetic! (The last time Mars was in your sign was in 2017.) This is a strong day for those of you involved in sports or working with children. Your style today will be playful and prankish because you want to have a good time!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Family discussions will be invigorating. You won’t hesitate to stand your ground and say what you want, especially if talking to a female relative. You are determined and intend to move quickly to make the changes you want to achieve.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today you want to do something. You want to start new projects, meet new people and set new things in motion. You also want to use your physical strength to back up your words. This is why you are so convincing today!
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today you will work hard to earn money. This will be easy to do because you are energetic and proactive. Your enthusiasm will carry the day without any problems. Many of you will use this same high energy to spend money as well. Oh yes.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
The moon is in your sign dancing with Mars. (For centuries, Mars ruled Scorpio until Pluto was discovered in 1930.) Today you have more courage and confidence than usual, which is why you’re willing to take the initiative in whatever you do. Tally Ho!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You have lots of energy to sleuth or seek out secrets. This same determined, almost furtive energy can also be used to research anything where you want to find solutions to old problems and answers to questions. You will leave no stone unturned.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
A discussion with a friend will be lively today. You might support this friend or in turn, you yourself might lead a group because you have the energy to rally your troops and set them marching. This is a good day to tweak or improve goals.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Bosses, parents and people in authority will be impressed with you because you virtually radiate energy today! Anyone can see this. Others will see that you are a natural leader, which could lead to good things for you in the future. “Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?”
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You’re enthusiastic to learn things about a variety of topics, as long as it is fascinating because you want to be stimulated. You want to discover new things. Ideally, if it would be allowed, you would travel. In the absence of that, you can expand your knowledge online.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor, producer, martial artist Jet Li (1963) shares your birthday. You have an intelligent, inquisitive mind that helps you to be a great problem solver. You are a shrewd, sensible and determined. Expect good things ahead! Finally, you will get recognition for your achievements. You might get praise, a raise or awards. Some of you will have the courage to become self-employed. Bravo!
Prosecutors on Sunday said a teenager charged in the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old girl at a McDonald’s drive-thru was allegedly found with guns tied to the attack after he was shot during a police chase last week on the Eisenhower Expressway — but he wasn’t one of the gunmen.
Marion Lewis, 18, of East Garfield Park, faces counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and a litany of other felony charges stemming from the killing of young Jaslyn Adams earlier this month and Thursday’s rush-hour pursuit. He was denied bail during his initial court hearing Sunday.
While Lewis wasn’t named as one of the alleged gunmen in Jaslyn’s shooting, Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin DeBoni placed him in the driver’s seat of the vehicle used in her killing earlier that day. DeBoni noted that Lewis was identified with the help of Jaslyn’s father, 28-year-old Jontae Adams, who was wounded in the April 18 shooting.
That afternoon, a silver Audi pulled into the parking lot of a McDonald’s, 3200 W. Roosevelt, and stopped behind Adams’ tan Infiniti, DeBoni said.
That’s when two individuals wearing hoods got out of the Audi and began firing into the car carrying Jaslyn, with one of them using a Draco, AK-47-style assault weapon with a “banana clip,” according to DeBoni.
After both shooters hopped back into the Audi, Adams attempted to drive forward, prompting the suspects to get out of the car again and open fire. Forty-five shell casings were recovered at the scene — 28 from the assault rifle and 17 more from a 40-caliber handgun, DeBoni said.
The shooting was caught on surveillance footage, according to DeBoni, who said Lewis wasn’t seen getting out of the Audi. However, Lewis allegedly posted a video to social media earlier that day that showed him driving a vehicle with interior details matching the Audi.
DeBoni said he was traveling with two individuals whose hooded sweatshirts matched those of the shooters, one of whom was seen with the Draco assault rifle allegedly used in the shooting.
Jaslyn and her father were both struck by the gunfire and taken to Stroger Hospital, where the young girl was pronounced dead and Adams was treated for a gunshot wound to the torso.
Jaslyn AdamsProvided
Adams identified Lewis and another suspect as members of the same gang based on the social media post, which was discovered after he told investigators that Lewis previously threatened him online. Police have said the attack that killed Jaslyn was gang-related and was believed to be tied to another shooting later that day that wounded two people at a Popeyes in Humboldt Park.
All three suspects in the video were identified as associates by a detective, DeBoni said.
Lewis was later tracked to an apartment in Lombard using a Facebook account, said DeBoni. Officers on Thursday set up surveillance at the apartment complex, where they noticed the Audi and saw Lewis leave with a backpack and get into a stolen Dodge Durango.
When cops in two “covert” vehicles attempted to box in the Durango, Lewis repeatedly hit a parked car until he was able to get free, DeBoni said. Lewis ultimately smashed into another police vehicle and led officers on a chase through the suburbs.
But after Lewis drove onto I-290, he lost control somewhere between Mannheim Road and 25th Avenue and crashed into a concrete barrier on the shoulder, DeBoni said. Still carrying the backpack, Lewis crossed multiple lanes of traffic and approached a silver Land Rover carrying five people, including children.
Lewis flashed a 40-caliber handgun and ordered the occupants out before banging on the driver’s window, DeBoni said. Lewis then fired a shot at the window, causing it to shatter. No one was struck, but DeBoni said the driver was cut by shards of glass and a passenger in the back was “unable to exit with her children in the car seats on either side of her.”
An officer who heard the shot saw Lewis pull the driver out of the SUV, DeBoni said. While ordering Lewis to raise his hands, the officer noticed the handgun underneath his thigh as he sat in the SUV.
As Lewis refused to comply with the officers’ orders and made motions toward the gun, the Land Rover began rolling backward. In the path of an open door, the officer fired five shots and struck Lewis in his left shoulder, DeBoni said.
A police officer investigates a vehicle Thursday after a suspect in the killing of Jaslyn Adams was shot by Chicago police and taken into custody. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file photo
The handgun was recovered with a bullet in the chamber and 18 more in an extended magazine, DeBoni said. The Draco was found in Lewis’ backpack with 18 live cartridges.
DeBoni said the rounds collected at the scene of Jaslyn’s killing matched the guns.
Lewis has a lengthy juvenile record, including two pending cases in which he faces charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, criminal damage to property, burglary and looting. Lewis’ attorney, Steve Greenberg, said his client lives with his grandmother and suffers from mental health issues while urging Judge David Navarro to grant him bail.
In turn, Navarro denied Lewis bail. His next court date was set for Thursday.
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