For the second time, COPA says shooting of Roshad McIntosh was justified

The agency tasked with investigating Chicago police officers’ use of force has found — for the second time — that the fatal 2014 shooting of Roshad McIntosh on the West Side was justified and within CPD policy.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability announced their findings Tuesday afternoon, more than two years after IPRA — COPA’s predecessor — announced they were re-examining the shooting.

As the agency found in August 2017, the new report from COPA says the officer’s “decision to discharge his firearm three times at McIntosh was objectively reasonable and complied with the Chicago Police Department’s General Order 03-02-03, the Illinois state statute and the Fourth Amendment.”

However, COPA disclosed that one of the officers who was at the scene of the shooting is now under investigation because of “discrepancies” in statements the officer gave to investigators.

McIntosh, 19, was shot and killed by an officer on Aug. 24, 2014 in the 2800 block of West Polk after — police and COPA both say — he pointed a handgun at an officer. McIntosh was shot twice in the abdomen and police recovered a handgun at the scene.

McIntosh’s mother is suing the city and CPD for the shooting. Andrew M. Stroth, her lead attorney, said Tuesday, “We’re disappointed with the decision by COPA, but the federal civil rights lawsuit will proceed. This COPA finding — or lack of a finding — has zero impact on the civil case pending in federal court.”

Officers were called to the block after receiving a tip that two men there were armed with guns. Once there, officers found the block crowded with dozens of people. Only one person, though — McIntosh — ran away when they arrived.

An officer gave chase and said he saw McIntosh grabbing his waistband with his right hand — a common sign that someone is carrying a gun.

COPA said that the officer who fired said he ordered McIntosh to drop the gun several times — a claim that was corroborated by several police and civilian witnesses.