Jeffrey Banks, a 35-year-old African American male, was fatally shot outside the Sky Box Bar in Chicago on November 25, 2016. The incident occurred after Banks engaged in a verbal altercation with another individual, Cleotha Mitchell. The argument escalated into a physical confrontation, prompting others at the scene to attempt to intervene. However, Mitchell then fired a gun multiple times, striking Banks and another individual, Jerry Buckner.
Chicago police officers, who were in the vicinity at the time, heard the gunshots and quickly responded to the scene. As they arrived, Mitchell fired additional rounds at Banks, causing him to collapse. Officers ordered Mitchell to drop his weapon, but he refused to comply. In response, Officer Page discharged his firearm four times at Mitchell, who took a few steps before falling to the ground. Both Banks and Mitchell were pronounced dead at the scene.
Buckner, who was also injured in the shooting, was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his left forearm. Investigators recovered a semi-automatic handgun with an empty magazine near Mitchell's body, along with multiple fired cartridge cases at the scene. A forensic analysis later confirmed that all recovered bullets had been fired from Mitchell's weapon.
The investigation into the incident was conducted by the Independent Police Review Authority later known as the Civilian Office of Police Accountability along with the Chicago Police Department. Authorities reviewed witness statements, video footage, forensic evidence, and police reports to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Ultimately, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office concluded that there was no basis for filing criminal charges against the officers involved in the incident.
