Chicago Police Officer Killed in Midday Shooting

 Posted on February 27, 2018 in Uncategorized

Gun violence is a serious problem for Chicago and the surrounding areas. Men, women, and children alike have lost their lives due to incidents involving firearms. The city recorded 650 murders in 2017 alone. Recently, another man was killed due to gun violence, but this time, it was a police officer. Cmdr. Paul Bauer was attempting to catch a man who was fleeing from tactical officers when he and the suspect engaged in a physical confrontation. The suspect then opened fire and shot the officer multiple times, killing the 31-year department veteran.

Suspected Shooter is Four-Time Felon

Police officers were eventually able to apprehend the suspect. He is a 44-year-old who has already spent many years of his life behind bars. The four-time felon was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 1998 for robbery. If found guilty of killing an officer, he will spend even more time locked up. The incident started just before 2 p.m., meaning many people were witnesses to the struggle and gunfire. Commander Bauer became involved in pursuing the suspect after hearing his description on the radio. A police tactical team had been attempting to question the suspect about a separate shooting when he started running away from the officers. They radioed for help, and Bauer was the first to confront the suspect. It was a heroic action which led to his death. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said of the officer, “Commander Bauer stood for the highest ideals of our police department and our city — to serve and protect the people of Chicago.”

Chicago had 2,785 shooting incidents and 3,457 shooting victims in 2017. This represents a 16% decrease in gun violence from 2016 – the deadliest year in decades. Police are adamant about keeping the streets of Chicago as safe as possible for citizens, and have increased the amount of officers on patrol. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson promises, "In 2018, we are going to work to build on the progress we made last year - to reduce gun violence, to save lives and to find justice for victims."

Are You Facing Gun-Related Charges?

Fault during a shootout is not always obvious and answers are not always black and white. If you have been accused of a crime related to gun violence, you need an experienced Will County criminal defense attorney who will aggressively defend your case and protect your rights. To speak with a professional at the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C., call 815-740-4025 today.