In a tragic turn of events, a Chicago police officer was inadvertently killed by her partner’s gunfire during a pursuit of a suspect. The incident occurred when the officers entered an apartment and were confronted by an individual wielding a rifle. The deceased officer, Krystal Rivera, 36, was a dedicated member of the force for four years and leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter.
The city police department confirmed in a statement on Friday that Rivera’s partner was the only one who discharged a firearm during the incident. The unintentional shot hit Officer Rivera, causing fatal injuries. An autopsy later revealed that she had been shot in the back.
Rivera was rushed to the hospital late Thursday, less than an hour after the shooting. Her colleagues transported her in a squad car, which unfortunately crashed and caught fire due to a mechanical failure, as reported by Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. She was subsequently transferred to another squad car for the remainder of the journey.
The individual who allegedly brandished the rifle during the encounter was apprehended by the police. However, the charges they will face have not been disclosed yet. The incident took place just before 10 p.m. on Thursday when Rivera’s tactical unit initiated a stop on a suspect believed to be armed.
The pursuit led to the apartment where the fatal shooting occurred. Investigators later discovered three firearms at the scene. Superintendent Snelling described Rivera as a “young, vibrant, and hard worker.”
Rivera’s mother shared with The Chicago Sun-Times that her daughter had always aspired to be a police officer. Rivera herself had expressed her pride in serving the community during her graduation from the police academy in 2021. She said, “For me, it’s a privilege. I come from a family of serving. To help people in need, that’s my calling.”