Gang member charged with trying to kill CPD officer 2 weeks after parole

A member of the Black P-Stones street gang appeared in court Thursday to face a litany of charges, including attempted murder of a police officer, just 16 days after being released on parole.

Paris McKinely, 26, stood before Judge Sophia Atcherson and looked at the floor while Cook County prosecutors outlined their case against him.

About 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, the 42-year-old Chicago Police officer was on patrol with his partner in a marked police SUV when they spotted McKinley driving a 2005 Chrysler minivan south on Western Avenue, prosecutors said.

McKinley was unable to provide a driver’s license or proof of insurance when he was stopped for having flicking headlights and a 9mm Glock pistol was spotted on the floor of the van behind the center console, prosecutors said.

McKinley suddenly accelerated during the stop, causing the 42-year-old officer to grab on to the van’s open, driver’s side window and be dragged for two blocks as the van sped down Western toward 59th Street, prosecutors said. The officer yelled at McKinley to stop, but instead he sped through a red light at 59th Street and collided with another vehicle in the intersection.

Both vehicles sustained significant damage in the crash and the officer was thrown to the road, prosecutors said. McKinley drove off again, striking several metal poles before crashing into a building at 5917 S. Western. He left the van and ran off, but was taken into custody after hiding on the third-floor deck of a building in the 6300 block of South Claremont.

The officer was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was treated for abrasions to his knees and right hand.

In addition to the attempted murder charge, McKinley faces counts of aggravated battery to a police officer, armed habitual criminal, multiple weapons charges and violations related to fleeing the traffic stop and crash, according to court records.

McKinley was paroled on Feb. 20, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records. He has previously been convicted of robbery and weapons charges.

Judge Atcherson ordered McKinley held without bail, citing his criminal history and adding that he was paroled only two weeks before the traffic stop.

McKinley’s court-appointed attorney said he was the father of two children and was engaged. He was working to get his GED and a trade certificate for carpentry at the the time of his arrest.

McKinely, whose arrest report indicated he was living in west suburban Summit, was scheduled to return to court March 27.