A dramatic incident unfolded last month in Chicago when a police sergeant narrowly avoided a fatal encounter with a man wielding a large knife. The intense situation was captured on body-camera footage released by the city on Wednesday morning.
The man in question, 47-year-old Alfonso Wright, was shot and killed by backup officers after he charged at the sergeant with the knife. Police suspect Wright of murdering a neighbor before the officers arrived at the scene.
The events unfolded at an assisted living facility on the 1400 block of East 75th Street around 2:23 a.m. on May 5. Responding to reports of a man threatening residents with a knife, the officers attempted to de-escalate the situation upon reaching Wright’s unit, as reported by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA).
In the released body-camera videos, Wright could be heard shouting loudly before the officers used a key to enter his apartment. As soon as the door opened, Wright rushed towards the officers with a knife in hand. The sergeant deployed a Taser in an attempt to subdue him.
Despite repeated orders to “Get down!”, Wright charged at the sergeant with the knife raised overhead, narrowly missing the officer with a downward thrust. The sergeant then urged his fellow officers to take action, leading to Wright being shot and killed by two officers outside the unit.
Subsequent investigations revealed the body of 58-year-old Keith Harding, stabbed to death in an apartment on the same floor where the confrontation took place. Authorities believe Wright was responsible for Harding’s murder.
For those interested in viewing the body-camera footage of the incident, clips are available on the COPA website. Viewer discretion is advised as the content is graphic and may be disturbing to some individuals.
The full videos, reports, and additional materials released by COPA can be accessed at the provided link. This comprehensive coverage of the incident offers insight into the intense and tragic events that transpired that fateful night in Chicago.
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