On July 28, 2016, 18-year-old Paul O'Neal, an African American male, was fatally shot by Chicago Police Department officers following a high-speed chase involving a stolen Jaguar. The incident began when officers attempted to stop the vehicle, which had been reported stolen in Bolingbrook. During the pursuit, O'Neal struck two police cars and a parked car before fleeing on foot. Despite being unarmed, he was shot in the back by Officer Jose Diaz as he ran through a residential neighborhood.
The medical examiner classified his death as a homicide.
The shooting was captured on police body and dash cameras, which were later released to the public. The footage showed that officers fired at the moving vehicle, a practice prohibited by the Chicago Police Department's use-of-force policy unless there is an imminent threat to life. This policy violation led to significant public outcry and demands for accountability.
Following the incident, the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) conducted an investigation, reviewing video evidence, police reports, and witness statements. The investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against the officers involved. However, in 2020, Officers Michael Coughlin and Jose Torres were fired for their roles in the incident, while Officer Diaz, who fired the fatal shot, was not dismissed.
Paul O'Neal's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Chicago, which was settled for $2.25 million. The case highlighted ongoing issues with police use of force and accountability in Chicago, contributing to broader discussions about police reform and the treatment of African Americans by law enforcement.
