Jury to Decide if Chicago Police Liable in Fatal Shooting of Adam Toledo

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Cook County jury will decide if the Chicago Police Department is liable for the 2021 death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. The incident occurred in the Little Village neighborhood when an officer chased Toledo on foot after hearing gunshots, then shot him less than a second after he dropped a gun he had been carrying.

Why it matters

The shooting of Adam Toledo sparked outrage and protests over police use of force, particularly involving young people. It also led to calls for the department to overhaul its foot pursuit policies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The details

In March 2021, a Chicago police officer chased Adam Toledo on foot after hearing gunshots on a street corner in the Little Village neighborhood. During the chase, the officer told Toledo to show his hands, and then shot him less than a second after Toledo dropped a gun he had been carrying.

• In March 2021, the incident occurred in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago.
• In 2022, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability recommended that the officer, Eric Stillman, be fired.
• However, then-police Supt. David Brown only recommended a suspension of no more than five days for Stillman.
• Then-Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx declined to charge Stillman in Toledo's death.
• Last month, family and friends held a memorial marking five years since the fatal shooting of Adam Toledo.

What’s next

The jury will decide if the Chicago Police Department is liable for Adam Toledo's death. This decision could have significant implications for the department's policies and practices around foot pursuits and use of force.