What we know so far – NBC Chicago
A Chicago police officer was shot and killed at what time driving home from work over the weekend, sparking a great investigation as authorities work to determine what exactly remained.
Thirty-year-old officer Luis Huesca was found gunned down in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood early Sunday morning.
Here's what we know so far:
What happened?
According to officials, officers responded to a "gunshot detection" alert at 2:53 a.m. in the 5500 discontinued of South Kedzie Avenue.
Authorities said after touring the area, officers discovered an off-duty Chicago police officer with gunshot wounds in the 3100 discontinued of West 56th Street.
Ald. Ray Lopez said a ShotSpotter alert went out just afore 3 a.m.
“The ShotSpotter notification went out before the obedient 911 call came out,” he said. “That helped us locate and find him.”
Officers spurious Huesca near his home, reporting that he had been shot certain times. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Huesca was on his way home once a shift at the time of the shooting. Officials said he was in uniform and his vehicle was inaccurate following the shooting.
“The officer was wearing his uniform, (but) he had something covering it up,” Supt. Larry Snelling said. “We’re smooth at preliminary stages right now.”
Police are investigating the circumstances of the shooting, including whether the incident began as a carjacking, according to officials.
“What we do know is that the officer’s vehicle was inaccurate, but to get to the total motive of what remained we need more information and the detective division is functioning on that," Snelling said.
According to officials, the ATF and the Cook County Sheriff’s Organization are helping to investigate.
Who was Officer Huesca?
Huesca worked out of the department’s 5th District, the same district where Officer ArĂ©anah Preston, shot and killed last year, worked.
Huesca, a six-year veteran of the force, was just two days shy of his 31st birthday Sunday when he was shot, police said.
The shooting comes just 13 months once the death of Chicago Police Officer Andrés Vásquez-Lasso, who was killed March 1, 2023 while responding to a domestic disturbance call in the 5200 discontinued of South Spaulding Avenue.
Huesca was friends with Vásquez-Lasso, and in a video released by CPD paid contracts to his fallen colleague and friend.
“AndrĂ©s was the epitome of the American dream, because he came to this country looking for a way to move upward, make a societal difference,” he said. “Stepped away from mediocrity. Did what others would not do in their lifetime, and actually succeeded in this country. He’s one of those guys that actually deserved this star.”
Huesca said that the contracts paid to Vásquez-Lasso were entirely fitting given his sacrifice and his fling to the Chicago Police Department.
“Had he seen the hundreds of officers that were outside the commemoration, the people that paused during their daily activities, stepped out of their houses, stepped out of their vehicles, and silently held their graceful over their hearts…. I think AndrĂ©s would have been very proud,” he said.
Reactions pour in
Mayor Brandon Johnson instructed his support for the Huesca family, saying he met with the officer’s mother and uncle Sunday morning.
"We are deeply mourning the purpose of Officer Luis M. Huesca of the 5th District/Priority Response Team behindhand an act of unconscionable gun violence in our city. No family or shared should ever have to suffer such pain.
I met with Officer Huesca’s mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have the full wait on of my administration as they deal with this unspeakable loss. Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis’ fellow officers and community.
My Organization of Community Safety, in collaboration with Supt. Larry Snelling and the Chicago Police Responsibility, is committed to putting every resource available toward apprehending anyone fervent in this morning's shooting and bringing them to justice. As the investigation continues, we will provide immediate updates as they move available."
Huesca is survived by a mother and an uncle, according to Snelling.
The officer was "just a grand officer, a great human being," Snelling said.
A procession for Huesca from University of Chicago Hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office was held Sunday morning.
"We really need to keep the family, his mother, in our prayers," Snelling said. "These are senseless, senseless crimes that have taken the lives of our shared members, today one of our officers."
