Man Charged with Killing Chicago Police Officer and Second Person During Traffic Stop
CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department has announced charges against Darion McMillian, 23, of Harvey, for the murder of Officer Enrique Martinez and another individual during a traffic stop on Monday night.
McMillian faces charges including first-degree murder of a peace officer, first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, residential burglary, unlawful use of a machine gun, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Thursday.
During a press conference, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling expressed deep anger over the incident, stating that McMillian should not have been on the streets with a fully automatic weapon.
According to Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti, the incident unfolded when Martinez and his partner conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle blocking traffic in the 8000 block of South Ingleside. McMillian, who was in the passenger seat, ignored commands to stop reaching for a bag and pulled out a handgun with an extended magazine capable of firing like a machine gun.
McMillian opened fire, fatally shooting Martinez and the driver of the vehicle. He then pushed the driver’s body out of the car, got behind the wheel, and reversed, dragging an officer along and causing the officer’s gun to discharge into the ground.
After crashing into a parked car, McMillian fled into a nearby home where he found a knife, cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet, and escaped. He was apprehended by police shortly afterward in the 8000 block of South Maryland.
It was determined that a third individual in the car with McMillian had no involvement in the crimes and was released by authorities.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Martinez’s family, who was planning to propose to his girlfriend of ten years.
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