Cops tried to de-escalate before shooting armed man at River North hotel, COPA says

The recent police shooting of Demond Williams in River North has been largely confirmed by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). According to COPA’s preliminary findings, the incident began when officers spotted Williams, a man with an outstanding warrant, carrying a knife.

Williams allegedly fled from officers and was eventually confronted at the Courtyard by Marriott on East Hubbard Street. Despite officers’ attempts to de-escalate the situation and use tasers, Williams reportedly continued to ignore commands and turned towards the officers with the knife. Two officers then discharged their weapons, striking Williams.

As of Wednesday, Williams remains hospitalized and it is uncertain whether he will attend his detention hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. He is facing charges of aggravated assault of a peace officer and unlawful use of a weapon with intent.

COPA has confirmed that both police body cameras and third-party cameras captured the initial interaction and the shooting. The agency plans to release the videos and other related materials within 60 days, unless prohibited by a court order.

Individuals with information about the incident or video footage that could aid in the investigation are encouraged to contact COPA at 312-746-3609 or visit their website at ChicagoCOPA.org.

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About the Author:
Tim Hecke is the managing partner of CWBChicago. With a background in radio journalism spanning various cities, Tim has been leading CWBChicago since 2019. For inquiries or feedback, you can reach Tim at tim@cwbchicago.com.

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