A Chicago police officer was unintentionally killed by her partner during a suspect pursuit on the South Side, prompting citywide mourning and an active investigation.

According to CBS News, Officer Krystal Rivera, 36, was accidentally shot by a fellow officer on Thursday night as the pair pursued a fleeing suspect into a Chatham apartment building where another person confronted them with a rifle.

According to police, the incident unfolded shortly before 10 p.m. on June 5 in the 8220 block of South Drexel Avenue. Officer Rivera was part of a tactical team conducting an investigatory stop when a man ran from officers. Rivera and her partner followed the man into a nearby residential building and up to an apartment on the second floor.

Inside, they encountered a second individual who reportedly pointed a rifle toward them. In the chaos of the confrontation, a weapon was discharged by Rivera’s partner, unintentionally striking Rivera. No one else fired a weapon during the encounter, according to police officials. The shot hit Rivera in the back, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Fellow officers acted quickly to get her to the hospital, initially transporting her in a police vehicle. However, that vehicle malfunctioned and caught fire, leading to an emergency transfer to another police car en route.

Transport Complications Added to Tragedy

Rivera was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed the mechanical failure of the first police vehicle, noting the quick action taken to get Rivera into a second vehicle and continue the transport.

Rivera was a four-year member of the department and a mother. She was remembered by colleagues as courageous and relentless in the pursuit of justice. “She was taking guns off the streets, she was going after the bad people who were harming others,” said Superintendent Snelling during a memorial march in her honor. Several individuals were taken into custody following the shooting, including the person believed to have confronted officers with the rifle. As of Friday night, no charges had been filed, and the investigation remains active, according to authorities.

Ongoing Investigations Under Scrutiny

Both the department’s detectives and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) are reviewing the events that led up to Rivera’s death. COPA investigators are gathering body camera footage, conducting interviews, and assessing procedures, such as how officers entered the apartment and whether they announced themselves.

Ghian Foreman, former president of the Chicago Police Board, raised concerns about protocol. He questioned whether officers turned on their body cameras before entry and what level of threat the second person posed at the moment the firearm was aimed at them. Details about the original investigatory stop that led officers to that apartment have not been fully released. Police officials confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the stop are part of the broader review.

Community and Department Mourn Officer’s Death

Officer Rivera’s death marks the second incident within the past year involving a fatality in the 6th District. In November 2024, Officer Enrique Martinez was shot and killed during a traffic stop in the same neighborhood. In February, a 27-year-old officer from the district also died by suicide.

Dr. Carrie Steiner, a former officer turned trauma psychologist, expressed serious concerns about the emotional toll on 6th District officers. “This is a lot of cumulative trauma,” she said. “Some of them are also like, really, like, 'I can't handle this.’” She emphasized the importance of monitoring police officers over the long term, as many may not initially recognize the depth of emotional distress. “I feel like I need to check in on them in 24 hours or 48 hours, and see how they’re doing,” Steiner said.

City Leaders Join in Tribute to Fallen Officer

Superintendent Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson participated in the eighth annual “We Walk for Her March” in Bronzeville the night after Rivera’s death. This event, initially intended to honor women killed in domestic violence or community violence, was adapted this year to also commemorate Rivera’s service and sacrifice.

“What better place to acknowledge her, her life, and the fact that she gave her life for the people who are out here today?” said Snelling during the march. He described Rivera as a police officer fully committed to serving and protecting her community. The department released a statement asking the public to keep Officer Rivera’s family and her partner in their thoughts, acknowledging the immense grief and burden both are carrying. “We also ask that the people of Chicago pray for Officer Rivera’s partner as he faces the loss of his fellow CPD family member,” the department shared.

Looking Ahead: Safety Measures and Support

Calls for policy review and support services have intensified in the wake of the incident. Questions surrounding firearms protocol, tactical entries, and mental health care for officers have all resurfaced in public discussions and within the department. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability’s findings will likely shape future decisions regarding the Chicago Police Department's training and tactical procedures. Accountability regarding body camera use and entry announcements may also be included in any changes recommended through the investigation.

As Rivera’s colleagues continue to patrol the streets of Chicago’s South Side, Superintendent Snelling reflected on the enduring spirit of his officers. “This is my family. And when we lose a family member, it’s tough, it's hard. But those family members are resilient,” he said.