Police accountability office releases video in Anthony Alvarez shooting

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) on Wednesday released footage of the fatal shooting of Anthony Alvarez by Chicago police.

The footage, shared by ABC 7 Chicago, shows police chasing Alvarez down what appears to be an alley and then out onto a sidewalk. Law enforcement can be heard in the video demanding that Alvarez drop a weapon. 

“Drop the gun! Drop the gun!” the officer shouts. Almost immediately afterward, the officer fires five shots while Alvarez attempts to keep running. 

After the shots are fired, Alvarez, 22, drops to the ground. 

“Why are you shooting me?” Alvarez can be heard asking the officer. 

“You had a gun,” the officer responds. 

However, it is unclear from the footage that the man was in possession of a firearm.  

The footage was released after Alvarez died earlier this month as a result of the shooting. Law enforcement at the time said that tensions escalated and that Alvarez was armed. 

Alvarez’s family was able to view the footage on Tuesday, according to 5Chicago.

COPA sent out a press release stating that police officers tried to talk with him before he fled the scene, with the police pursuing him.  

“Chicago Police Department (CPD) tactical officers attempted to stop and speak with Mr. Anthony Alvarez – an individual familiar to the officers. Mr. Alvarez fled as officers approached, leading to a foot pursuit by the officers,” COPA said in the statement.

“During the brief foot pursuit, officers made verbal commands to Mr. Alvarez to drop the weapon. A Chicago Police Officer fired his weapon multiple times, fatally injuring Mr. Alvarez.” 

Attorneys for Alvarez’s family and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) reviewed the released body camera video and put out a joint statement on Wednesday through Lightfoot’s Twitter page. 

Here is our joint statement with the Alvarez family counsel. pic.twitter.com/SEy7Z54Zb1

— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) April 28, 2021

“Both parties are acutely aware of the range of emotions that will accompany the release of these materials, and we collectively issue this statement and ask that those who wish to express themselves do so peacefully and with respect for our communities and the residents of Chicago,” Lightfoot said. 

The footage also comes as the city is reeling from the police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo in March. 

Cook County prosecutor James Murphy was placed on administrative leave last week after claiming that Toledo was armed with a gun when police shot and killed him. However, according to video footage that was released earlier this month, it was not clear if he was armed.