Roshad McIntosh, a 19-year-old Black male, was fatally shot by a Chicago police officer on August 24, 2014. The incident occurred in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. According to the police, McIntosh was armed and pointed a gun at the officers, prompting them to open fire. The officer fired three shots, resulting in McIntosh's death. The Independent Police Review Authority , which later became the Civilian Office of Police Accountability , initially found the shooting to be justified
and within policy. The case was closed in October 2015 without any disciplinary action against the officers involved.
However, McIntosh's mother, Cynthia Lane, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against the City of Chicago and the officers involved, claiming that her son was unarmed at the time of the shooting. Witnesses alleged that the police planted a gun on McIntosh after the fatal shooting. The lawsuit sought to uncover the truth behind the incident and challenge the narrative provided by the police.
In August 2017, COPA reopened its investigation into McIntosh's death. The re-investigation gathered new evidence that led to the reopening of discovery in the federal case. The City of Chicago and the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7 declined to comment on the case, citing pending litigation. The re-investigation aimed to explore the additional and supplemental disclosures made by the City of Chicago relating to the incident.
In March 2024, nearly a decade after the shooting, a City Council committee considered a proposed $2.25 million payout to settle the lawsuit filed by McIntosh's family. The officer who shot McIntosh, Robert Slechter, was cleared of wrongdoing twice by Chicago police oversight agencies. However, another officer at the scene, Saharat Sampim, faced disciplinary action after his initial statement about the shooting was contradicted by surveillance footage. Sampim retired while his firing was pending before the Police Board.
The case of Roshad McIntosh remains a significant example of the ongoing issues surrounding police accountability and the use of force in Chicago. The re-investigation and subsequent legal actions highlight the complexities and challenges in seeking justice for victims of police shootings.
