The police shooting of Adam Toledo and its aftermath

Chicago police shot and killed a 13-year-old boy in what officials described as an “armed confrontation” in Little Village on March 29.

By Alice Bazerghi | April 5, 2021 at 1:30 PM

On March 29, a Chicago police officer shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Little Village.

A police watchdog agency April 15 released a video showing an officer shooting Adam, whose empty hands were raised — but who appeared to be holding a gun just a moment earlier.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which reviews police shootings to determine if they comply with police policy and state law, hasn’t issued any findings in the case.

A veteran Cook County prosecutor was placed on administrative leave the day after the video was released because he “failed to fully present the facts” during an April 10 bond hearing when he didn’t specifically state that 13-year-old Adam Toledo was unarmed at the moment a Chicago police officer shot him, according to State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office.

The release of the video quickly drew national media attention and prompted days of protests.

33 Total Updates Since
April 01, 2021 07:37 PM

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April 16, 2021 07:38 PM

Hundreds rally, march in Logan Square to protest police violence: ‘Adam, we love you!’

By Manny Ramos and Sam Kelly

“You have allowed police officers to traumatize us,” Mark Clements, a survivor of police violence, told the crowd.
April 16, 2021 06:58 PM

State’s attorney investigating why prosecutor’s description of Adam Toledo shooting didn’t match video

By Matthew Hendrickson

Kim Foxx’s office won’t say why it took 5 days to admit prosecutor James Murphy didn’t ‘fully inform himself’ before telling a judge the boy had a gun in his hand when shot by a cop.
April 16, 2021 05:45 PM

Adam Toledo police shooting video puts a spotlight not only on the police but also on Lightfoot

By Fran Spielman

The mayor is nearing the midpoint of her four-year term with crime and violence in Chicago far worse than when she walked in.
April 16, 2021 12:11 PM

Nearly 30 years ago, her 12-year-old son was killed by a Chicago cop. ‘Do I think anything’s changed? No, I think it’s even worse today.’

By David Struett

Debra Fahrforth still doesn’t believe her son had a gun, as police said, when an officer shot Joey Chlopek on June 6, 1992.
April 15, 2021 09:42 PM

Protesters decry fatal police shooting of Adam Toledo following video release

By Tom Schuba, Manny Ramos, and 1 more

“The veil has been lifted, and what we’re seeing is that the Chicago police feel like they can go out in the streets and kill any boy, any one person,” a resident said about the killing.
April 15, 2021 07:45 PM

Little Village woman says she watched as Adam Toledo was shot

By Manny Ramos

“Even if the kid had a gun and tossed it, you still shot him with no gun in his hands while he is following your orders,” Margarita Gomez said.
April 15, 2021 06:18 PM

Bodycam video of fatal police shooting of Adam Toledo details final minutes of boy’s life

By Frank Main, Tom Schuba, and 1 more

The 13-year-old boy appears to have a gun at one point, but when his hands are raised, he does not appear to have a weapon.
April 15, 2021 04:09 PM

Toledo shooting ‘tragic and horrific,’ alderman says after viewing video

By Fran Spielman

Ald. Chris Taliaferro, a former Chicago police officer, chairs the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety. He wouldn’t say if the shooting was justified because he doesn’t want to prejudice what he hopes will be a “thorough and quick” investigation by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
April 15, 2021 04:08 PM

Lake Shore Drive bridge to be raised Thursday night for ‘testing and maintenance’ after city releases video in fatal police shooting of Adam Toledo

By Sam Kelly

CDOT spokesman Michael Claffey said the bridge will be raised between 10 p.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. Friday for “testing and maintenance ahead of boat run season” and says the closure is not related to the video release.
April 15, 2021 12:37 PM

Lightfoot says Chicago ‘failed’ Adam Toledo, vows to do more to save teens like him

By Fran Spielman

“We live in a city that is traumatized by a long history of police violence and misconduct,” Lightfoot said. “It is certainly understandable why so many of our residents are feeling that all-too-familiar surge of outrage and pain.”