CHICAGO (Wales) — Tuesday was and continues to be a very emotional day, not only for everyone who works in the 6th Precinct and knows Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, but for the community at large.

Dozens of people gathered in the county Tuesday afternoon to express their sadness and support.

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Just before 14:00 on Tuesday, including St. Dozens of people began to flock to Chicago’s 6th Precinct Police Station, including Sabina’s Father, Michael Pfleger.

Although ABC7’s cameras were not allowed to remain during the prayer vigil that followed, it was clearly an emotional moment for officers who mourned the loss of one of their own, 26-year-old Martinez, on Tuesday.

“We’re all in this together. We’re family. And I told them that there, too. You’re not strangers. You’re our brother, our sister, our friends. That’s how we need to start seeing it.” Each other,” Pfleger said.

Martinez, a nearly three-year veteran of the department, was killed just after 8 p.m. Monday night while he and others conducted a traffic stop in East Chatham.

According to police, there were three people in the vehicle. Police said one of them opened fire on Martinez, killing him and the person sitting in the front seat. The identity of this person was not disclosed.

“He was a proud individual, a very hard worker. And he gave his life for this city,” CPD Supt. Larry Snelling mentioned Martinez.

Snelling said the person allegedly responsible for the attack is in custody, as is the backseat passenger.

The Mayor said, “What we call for, what we expect, and what we expect is a swift call to justice to ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable. We will also hold you accountable for the individuals who continue to seek terrorism in our city.” Brandon Johnson said at a late-night press conference Monday.

However, the shooter initially attempted to flee, hitting a second officer with his vehicle in the process.

“We will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We will do the best possible investigation, we will gather all the evidence to make sure we throw these types of people away so they never come to light again one day,” Snelling said.

While details are still being investigated, Snelling confirmed that one of the occupants’ ankle monitor had been cut off.

“We must do everything we can to keep violent offenders off the street, especially those who repeat these acts,” Snelling said. he said. “If we don’t do this, we are failing our citizens. We are failing our children. We are failing their future. We must keep violent criminals off the streets.”

Johnson also offered his condolences Monday night as he joined Snelling and others outside the University of Chicago Medical Center.

“I urge all residents of this city to pray for this family. But I also urge residents of this city to embrace each other, especially our police department,” Johnson said. he said.

Police said they found two guns, one with an extended magazine.

The exact circumstances surrounding the traffic stop were not disclosed.

Police said one of the officers at the scene managed to return fire, but it was unclear if anyone was hit as a result.

“We know at this time that an officer fired his weapon at the scene. Those officers’ weapons are still being checked at this time,” Snelling said. “There is evidence to be recovered. That’s all the information we have right now.”

News of the suspect’s ankle monitor led John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, to call for more accountability in crime-fighting efforts.

“Does my face look surprised?” Catanzara said. “Unfortunately, it’s not like that. In this county, in this city, it’s just the status quo. Again, they’re allowed to do whatever they want to do and you keep making excuses.”

The 6th District is one of Chicago’s most violent neighborhoods. In the past 12 months, 2,053 violent crimes (homicide, criminal sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated battery) were reported in the region.

With a rate of 237 violent crimes per 100,000 people, it has the third highest violent crime rate of any district in the city, behind District 7 and District 11. However, violent crime increased by 5.4% in the last 12 months compared to the previous average. three years.

However, some violent crimes such as murder and shootings are also seen in the area.

• There were 63 murders in the 6th district in the last 12 months: seven murders per 100,000 people, a decrease of 11.3% compared to the average of the previous three years
• 652 robberies in Zone 6 in the last 12 months: 75 robberies per 100,000 people, a 10.8% increase on the average of the previous three years
• 247 shootings (both fatal and non-fatal) in the last 12 months: 28 shootings per 100,000 people, a 21.4% decrease from the average of the previous three years

Traffic stops like the one conducted by Martinez when he was killed have also become part of a disturbing trend in Chicago.

Retired CPD Sergeant Tracy Quarles had been on the job for 25 years. He said his best friend and police officer was killed during a traffic stop years ago.

“I’ve seen officer-involved shootings, officers being shot, from my first day on the job to watching the news last night,” Quarles said Tuesday. he said. “I let that sink in. In terms of seeing friends and colleagues at work and going to a lot of funerals over the years.”

Councilwoman Silvana Tabares, who represents Ward 23, wants more to be done to protect citizens and officers.

Her husband is a CPD officer. He sees the department losing experienced officers.

Martinez is the fourth police officer to die in the line of duty in the past two years. Officer Luis Huesca He was killed in April 2024 Officer Areanah Preston He was killed in May 2023 and Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso He was killed in March 2023.

“We’ve lost so many young officers, so many young Latino officers in the last year and a half. With Officer Vásquez Lasso and Officer Huesca and now Officer Martinez, it’s so tragic. It’s so sad and heartbreaking for our city,” Tabares said.

Martinez’s death brought back tragic memories to Gold Star families like the family of Officer Thomas Wortham, who was shot and killed in 2010.

His sister, Sandra Wortham, said she was listening to police scanners Monday night.

“Obviously it’s heartbreaking, it’s just another nightmare, it’s just incredible that we’re here again with one of our officers taken away from us,” Wortham said. “We have to be realistic about what we’re facing here, our public safety problem, and we have to be realistic about fixing it, because all of our lives depend on it, and that’s not an exaggeration.”

A somber procession was held for Martinez early Tuesday, and a line of police vehicles escorted his body to the medical examiner’s office.

Martinez leaves behind a heartbroken family; They include his fiancee, ABC7 said, and a brother who is also on the police force.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or COPA, is continuing the investigation.

The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for at least 30 days.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office made a statement about the shooting and said: “The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office is cooperating with the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services and the Chicago Police Department for any assistance necessary in their investigation into the shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez. The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office has no further comment. continued Chicago Police Department Investigation.”

Johnson made a statement and said: “I am deeply saddened to have lost a member of the Chicago Police Department yesterday. The entire city of Chicago joins me in mourning this profound loss.

“Every day, the brave men and women of the Chicago Police Department risk their lives to keep our city safe, and yesterday one of them made the ultimate sacrifice.

“There will be justice for the officer’s family. There will be justice for our city. There will be justice for the Chicago Police Department. The entire city and I stand with the officer’s family and loved ones, as well as the Chicago Police Department, as they endure this tragedy.

“I will be in constant communication with the Chicago Police Department as the investigation progresses and we will provide updates as they become available.”

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