CHICAGO — The police officer who shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo in March 2021 could be fired after an investigation found he violated department policy.
Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which investigates police use of force, on Thursday recommended officer Eric Stillman be fired, saying he “acted inconsistently with his training,” including with policies regarding foot pursuits, activating body-worn cameras and use of deadly force.
What key players are saying: Police board president Ghian Foreman sided with COPA, while Superintendent of Police David Brown disagreed with the recommendation, arguing that the shooting did not violate use-of-force policy, and recommended that Stillman be suspended for no more than five days, according to the police board recommendation.
What’s next: The police board’s eight members will hold a disciplinary hearing to decide if Stillman will be fired. Stillman will be allowed to testify before the board at the hearing. COPA chief administrator Andrea Kersten said Thursday that “impacted parties and the residents of the city of Chicago deserve to have all the facts and evidence presented in a full, public hearing.”
VISUAL INVESTIGATION:What happened when 13-year-old Adam Toledo was shot and killed by Chicago police
Adam Toledo shooting: What happened?
Adam, 13, had his hands raised when Stillman shot and killed him on March 29, 2021, according to graphic videos released of the shooting. Stillman chased Adam into an alley in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood and fired one shot into his chest moments after the teen appeared to throw a gun behind a fence.
The footage cast doubt on prior accounts by police and city officials who initially described the incident as an “armed confrontation.” The shooting garnered nationwide attention and sparked widespread protests throughout Chicago.
As activists called for police accountability, County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said in March there was insufficient evidence to charge the officers in the deaths.
On Adam’s 14th birthday last May, his family announced the creation of Adam’s Place, a sanctuary for at-risk youth.
‘WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THERE IS JUSTICE’:Over 1,000 in Chicago gather to remember Adam Toledo
Toledo family attorney responds
Adeena Weiss Ortiz and Joel Hirschhorn, attorneys representing Adam’s family, said they were grateful for COPA’s investigation.
“We thank COPA for its diligent efforts in this investigation and uncovering the truth of what transpired that fateful evening,” they said in a statement. “We are relieved COPA has come to the conclusion that the shooting was unjustified, which is consistent with our understanding of the facts.”
What Stillman’s attorney says
Stillman’s attorney, Tim Grace, did not immediately respond to USA TODAY requests for comment. In a statement to the Chicago Sun-Times, Grace said he was “extremely disappointed” with the decision.
“The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office investigated this case and correctly concluded that the use of force by Officer Stillman was proper and consistent with Illinois law,” Grace told the Sun-Times.
Stillman was a 10th district patrol officer at the time of the shooting and has been with the department since August 2015, according to case incident reports.
Contact News Now Reporter Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.