Kim Foxx, Cook County state’s attorney, has apologized for any confusion caused by her office in the investigation into the shooting death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo.
Foxx’s office recently announced an internal investigation after bodycam footage showed Toledo’s hands were raised when he was killed on March 29.
Documents released by Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) identified the officer who fired his weapon as Eric Stillman.
“The tragedy of the death of a 13-year-old boy has been clouded by the confusion and frustration my office has caused and for this I apologize,” Foxx said in a statement. “It’s not lost on me that our community is grieving and I want to assure Adam’s family and the public that my office is working diligently to investigate his death.”‘
Toledo was shot after officers pursued Toledo and another young male, Ruben Roman, 21, on foot. One of the officers opened fire, shooting Adam in the chest as his hands were in the air. Stillman and another officer attempted chest compressions on Toledo, but the teen was pronounced dead on the scene.
The department faced criticism after assistant prosecutor James Murphy seemingly attempted to justify the shooting in bond court on April 10. Murphy claimed Toledo was holding a gun when the officer opened fire.
He was not.
“The attorney in bond court did not intend to give the impression that Adam Toledo was holding a gun when shot. The investigation revealed that the language the attorney used in court was inartful, leaving an unintended impression,” the findings from the state attorney’s office reads in part.
Murphy was placed on leave during the internal investigation but has returned to work. “The attorney who made the statements in bond court has returned to his assignment and is no longer on leave,” the report concludes.
