A Chicago police procession for the body of Officer French as it was driven to Cook County Medical Examiners Office on August 8, 2021. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
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UPDATED 6:47 PM PT – Sunday, August 8, 2021
Police announced three suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting of two Chicago Police Department officers. On Sunday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) declared an official day of mourning after 29-year-old officer Ella French was fatally shot and another officer hospitalized on Saturday night.
According to authorities, officers were conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle with three occupants when they were fired upon.
“Officers assigned to the community safety team conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with three occupants,” explained Supt. David Brown of Chicago Police Department. “…During the course of this investigation, officers were fired upon and they returned fire. One of our officers was struck by one of the offenders’ bullets and sustained a fatal gunshot wound and she is deceased.”
Officer French was a three and a half year veteran to the department. In regards to the hospitalized officer, authorities said the public’s prayers were needed as he has suffered from three gunshot wounds.
Please also pray for her wounded partner, who is in the hospital fighting for his life. We’re asking for everyone to lift up this officer and his family as we pray for his recovery.
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 8, 2021
“Our officers need this city to pray for their strength. To pray for peace that they are comforted, that their families are comforted,” Brown expressed. “I’m asking Chicago to wrap their arms around our police officers today and encourage them to continue their great work in protecting us all.”
The incident marked Chicago’s first fatal shooting of an officer in the line of duty since 2018. At least 38 members of the Chicago Police Department have been shot at in 2021 so far, with 11 struck by gunfire.
“The police are not our enemies. They’re human, just as we are. Blood just as we are, but also risking their lives every day for our safety and security,” Lightfoot stated. “That reality became very real last night in an emergency room amongst tears and fears from the finest and the most courageous people I know.”
“Today is an official day of mourning for the city.” — @chicagosmayor https://t.co/thnW2rwIX4
— Ryan Johnson (@Ryan_Johnson) August 8, 2021
Aside from declaring Sunday a day of mourning for fallen Officer French, Lightfoot also ordered all city building flags to be flown at half-staff.
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