Killing of Paul O'Neal

On July 28, 2016, 18-year-old Paul O'Neal was shot in the back by Chicago Police Department officers following a grand theft auto chase.[1] O'Neal had struck two police cars, a parked car, while operating a stolen Jaguar. Police say that O'Neal, who was unarmed, fled from the vehicle after the chase and refused to stop.[2] The shooting was classified by the medical examiner as a homicide. The three officers who discharged their weapons were removed from duty following a preliminary investigation. Following an investigation, no criminal charges were brought against the officers involved.[3]

"Paul O'Neal" redirects here. For other people with a similar name, see Paul O'Neill (disambiguation).
Killing of Paul O'Neal
DateJuly 28, 2016 (2016-07-28)
Time7:23 p.m. to 7:25 p.m.
Location7400 block of South Merrill Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
TypeHomicide by shooting, police killing
Filmed byPolice body and dash cameras
Participants
  • Jose Diaz (fired fatal shot)
  • Michael Coughlin
  • Jose Torres
OutcomeCoughlin and Torres fired in 2020
DeathsPaul O'Neal, aged 18
ChargesNone
LitigationWrongful death lawsuit against the city of Chicago by O'Neal’s mother settled for $2.25 million

The LA Times notes Chicago's use-of-force policy specifically prohibits police from shooting into a car when the vehicle represents the only danger.[4] However, this policy is not absolute and expressly applies "unless such force is reasonably necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to the sworn member or to another person."[5]

Chicago police released vehicle and body-worn camera video of the shooting on August 5, 2016.[2] Prior to the release, the agency warned that civil unrest could follow.[6]

In 2020, officers Michael Coughlin and Jose Torres were fired for their roles in the killing. Jose Diaz, however, was not fired.[7] Later that year, the city of Chicago settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by O'Neal's mother for $2.25 million.[8]

Shooting

At 7:23 p.m., Chicago police officers attempted to stop O'Neal in the South Shore neighborhood as he drove a Jaguar convertible reported stolen in Bolingbrook. O'Neal struck two Chicago police vehicles while in the car, and two officers fired at him while he was inside the car. O'Neal fled from the Jaguar, and a third officer chased him behind a home and fatally shot him. O'Neal died from a single gunshot wound to the back.[9] About fifteen shots were fired in total by the three officers.[10]

Also See

References
  1. "3rd cop loses police powers; autopsy shows man shot in South Shore died from a gunshot wound". Chicago Tribune. July 30, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  2. "Video from cop shooting of teenager 'horrific,' family lawyer says". Chicago Tribune. August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  3. "Paul O'Neal Shooting: No Charges For Chicago Cops In 2016 Case". Patch. January 19, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  4. Hinkel, Dan (August 5, 2016). "Video from cop shooting shows Chicago police firing at fleeing car in neighborhood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  5. https://home.chicagopolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/G03-02_Use-of-Force_TBD.pdf
  6. Sanchez, Ray; Prokupecz, Shimon (August 5, 2016). "Chicago police warn of 'civil unrest' ahead of video release". CNN. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  7. "Police Board Orders 2 Officers Fired In 2016 Shooting That Killed Paul O'Neal". CBS News. 19 March 2020.
  8. "Aldermen Agree to Pay $6.65M To Settle 4 Police Misconduct Cases".
  9. Lee, William (17 August 2016). "Paul O'Neal fatally shot by police in back: autopsy". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  10. "Videos of deadly cop shooting show procedural errors, confusion over shots". Chicago Tribune. August 8, 2016.


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