Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera was “unintentionally” shot and killed by fellow officer during chase in Chatham, police say

Chicago police confirmed Friday night that Officer Krystal Rivera was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer while chasing a suspect after an investigatory stop in Chatham Thursday night. 

Officer Krystal Rivera was among officers on a tactical team who were on patrol in the South Side neighborhood when they attempted to conduct an investigatory stop in the 8220 block of South Drexel Avenue just before 10 p.m. Police said, as the officers approached, the suspect ran into a nearby apartment and the officers gave chase.

Sources said Rivera and her partner followed the suspect to the second floor of the apartment building, into a home. 

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said that when the officers got into that apartment, they were confronted with a second person who pointed a rifle at them.

“At some point an officer discharged a weapon,” Snelling said. 

In a statement Friday night, police confirmed that the only person who fired a weapon during the incident was an officer, “whose gunfire unintentionally struck Officer Rivera.” Sources said the officer who fired the shot was Rivera’s partner.

Several people were taken into custody after the shooting, including one person believed to have been the one with the rifle inside the apartment. No charges have yet been announced.  

Police said the investigation remained open Friday night, and the person who had the rifle remained in custody.

“Detectives also continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the investigative stop preceding the encounter. At this time, no further information is available while the investigation continues,” police said.

Rivera was rushed to the hospital by her fellow officers, but while they on the way, their vehicle caught fire due to a mechanical issue. Rivera had to be put in another vehicle, which took her to University of Chicago Medical Center, where she died.

“There was some type of malfunction in that vehicle that caught fire, but assisting officers came in and she was transferred to another vehicle and driven to the hospital,” Snelling said. 

An autopsy determined Rivera was shot in the back, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.  

“We ask that the city continue to pray for fallen Officer Krystal Rivera’s family during this heartbreaking time. 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. Though her loss weighs heavy on our department, we will continue to do all we can to protect our city in memory of Officer Rivera and her sacrifice,” police said. 

CPD and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability were investigating the shooting.

Former Chicago Police Board president Ghian Foreman said that COPA will review all of the available evidence for their investigation, including conducting interviews and obtaining body camera video if possible to determine how officers conducted the investigatory stop.

“Was the body cam on? Did they announce their arrival?” Foreman said.

The body camera video could be key in the investigation, as it could show where the suspect was and what he was doing at the time Rivera and her partner entered the apartment.

“For example, did he have a gun in his hand? Was it raised?” said Foreman.

Snelling honors Rivera’s dedication to saving lives by joining march to raise awareness of missing women

Rivera, 36, was a four-year veteran of the department and a mother. Snelling described her as vibrant and fearless, saying she showed up to work every day ready to be bold and work hard, and was dedicating to protecting others.

Despite grieving the loss of one of an officer under his command, Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday evening took part in the 8th annual “We Walk for Her March” in Bronzeville, which is dedicated to bringing awareness to the unsolved cases of missing Black and Brown women in Chicago.

Snelling said he made it a point to attend the event, despite the long and heartbreaking day for the department, because Rivera was dedicated to saving lives.

“What better place to acknowledge her, her life, and the fact that she gave her life for the people who are out here today?” Snelling said. “When I think about Krystal Rivera, Officer Krystal Rivera, and the work she was doing, she was taking guns off the streets, she was going after the bad people who were doing harm to others, and she wanted justice. She wanted justice for the people that you see standing, and marching, and walking out here right now today.”

Snelling said as the city mourns, it’s just as important to remember the vow every officer takes to protect, even when they’re grieving.

“This is my family. The Chicago Police Department, these members are my family, and when we lose a family member, it’s tough, it’s hard; but those family members are resilient, they’re tough. They would want you to keep moving on,” he said. 

Psychologist concerned for mental well-being of fellow officers in Rivera’s district

Rivera was the second police officer from the 6th District killed recently in Chatham. In November 2024, Officer Enrique Martinez was shot and killed during a traffic stop near 80th and Ingleside.

In addition, in February, a 27-year-old officer assigned to the district died by suicide.

Dr. Carrie Steiner, a former Chicago police officer turned police and public service psychologist, said she is particularly concerned about the officers in that district.

“This is a lot of cumulative trauma, and so I am really worried about all of the officers there, and how they’re feeling. I think that right now everybody’s more so in shock, and some of them are saying, “I think I’m doing okay,’ but I really feel like I need to check in on them in 24 hours or 48 hours, and see how they’re doing,” she said. “Some of them are also like, really, like, ‘I can’t handle this. I can’t keep doing this.'”