Alfontish Cockerham, a 23-year-old African American male, died on June 20, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois, after being shot by a Chicago police officer. The incident occurred at the corner of 71st and Merrill when police responded to a call and encountered Cockerham along with three other men. According to police reports, Cockerham fled the scene and allegedly pointed a gun at the officers during the chase, prompting an officer to open fire.
However, witnesses disputed this account, claiming that Cockerham was unarmed and had his hands in the air when he was shot.
The autopsy report revealed that Alfontish Cockerham was shot twice, with one bullet entering from behind, indicating he was shot in the back. The official cause of death was complications from multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide. The shooting sparked significant controversy and calls for justice from community activists and Cockerham's family, who argued that the shooting was unjustified and that Cockerham did not pose a threat to the officers.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the City of Chicago and the police officers involved. Attorney Uche represented Cockerham's family, challenging the police narrative that Cockerham was armed and posed a threat. The lawsuit highlighted discrepancies in the police account and the autopsy findings, which suggested that Cockerham was shot while fleeing. After a two-week jury trial, a Cook County jury awarded Cockerham's family $1.18 million, concluding that the shooting was unjustified.
The case also led to calls for greater transparency and accountability within the Chicago Police Department. Activists demanded the release of security camera footage that reportedly captured the shooting, arguing that it would provide crucial evidence about the circumstances of Cockerham's death. Despite these efforts, the officer who fired the shots remained on duty, and the incident continued to be a point of contention in discussions about police use of force and community relations in Chicago.
