Chicago Officer Fatally Shoots Partner, Fails to Provide Aid

Body camera footage shows officer Carlos Baker hid after shooting Krystal Rivera, leaving her to die

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:36pm

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Body camera footage released Friday shows that Chicago police officer Carlos Baker shot and killed his partner Krystal Rivera during a foot chase last summer, then hid in a stairwell for over 90 seconds without providing any medical aid. The videos show Baker encountering an armed suspect, firing the fatal shot that struck Rivera, and then fleeing up the stairs before eventually returning to Rivera's lifeless body.

Why it matters

The shooting death of Officer Krystal Rivera by her own partner was the first fatal officer-on-officer shooting in Chicago in nearly 40 years, raising serious questions about the department's training, supervision, and disciplinary practices. Baker had a history of misconduct complaints, including incidents where he allegedly flashed his gun and was involved in a high-speed chase that resulted in a crash.

The details

The body camera footage shows Baker and Rivera chasing a suspect into an apartment building. Baker then encountered a second armed man, appeared to trip, and fired the shot that killed Rivera. Instead of providing aid, Baker fled up the stairs and waited over 90 seconds before returning to Rivera's body. The video does not show Baker rendering any medical assistance. Rivera's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging Baker was struggling to accept the end of their romantic relationship when he fatally shot her.

  • In June 2025, the shooting incident occurred.
  • In July 2025, Rivera's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Baker and the police department.
  • In March 2026, an appeals court overturned a judge's order that had prevented the release of videos and files related to the shooting.

The players

Officer Krystal Rivera

A Chicago police officer who was fatally shot by her partner, Carlos Baker, during a foot chase in June 2025.

Officer Carlos Baker

The Chicago police officer who shot and killed his partner, Krystal Rivera, and then failed to provide her with any medical aid.

Yolanda Rivera

The mother of Officer Krystal Rivera, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Baker and the police department.

John Catanzara

The president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, who defended Baker's conduct after the body camera video was released.

Antonio Romanucci

The attorney representing Krystal Rivera's family in the wrongful death lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“He reacted better in that situation than I want to say 90% of officers would, because it was that chaotic and tragic of a … scene. Many officers would have ran down the … stairs possibly right away … and subjecting themselves to then get shot.”

— John Catanzara, President, Chicago Fraternal Order of Police

“After the shooting, Baker then 'ran in the opposite direction and left her to die,' according to the lawsuit, which says he failed to provide medical aid, call for an ambulance or acknowledge he was the shooter.”

— Yolanda Rivera, Mother of Officer Krystal Rivera

What’s next

The two suspects who were in the apartment during the shooting incident have been arrested and charged, and their cases are currently pending in court. The administrative case opened against Officer Baker after the shooting is also ongoing.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for the Chicago Police Department to thoroughly review its training, supervision, and disciplinary practices to ensure officers with histories of misconduct are not placed in positions of increased responsibility and authority. The failure to provide medical aid to a fallen officer also raises serious concerns about the department's protocols and culture.