Cedrick Chatman, a 17-year-old African American male, was fatally shot by a white Chicago police officer on January 7, 2013. The incident occurred in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Chatman was driving a stolen silver Dodge Charger when he was approached by Officers Kevin Fry and Lou Toth in an unmarked police car. Upon exiting the vehicle, Chatman fled on foot, prompting Officer Toth to pursue him while Officer Fry fired four shots, hitting Chatman twice.
The entire encounter lasted approximately seven seconds.
The police officers involved claimed that Chatman had pointed a dark object at them, which they believed to be a gun. However, it was later determined that the object was an iPhone box. The shooting sparked controversy and led to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Chatman's family against the city of Chicago and the officers involved. The family argued that Chatman posed no threat and did not turn towards the officers during the chase.
In the years following the incident, the case drew significant attention, particularly in the context of other high-profile police shootings in Chicago. Videos of the shooting were initially withheld but were eventually released in 2016, showing different angles of the incident. The footage did not conclusively show whether Chatman turned towards the officers or posed a threat, leading to ongoing debates about the justification for the use of lethal force.
The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Chatman's family sought to hold the officers and the city accountable for what they described as an unjustified shooting. The case highlighted broader issues of police accountability and the use of force in Chicago, contributing to calls for greater transparency and reforms within the police department. Despite the release of the video and the public outcry, no criminal charges were brought against the officers involved in the shooting.
