CHICAGO (WLS) — Tuesday was and continues to be a very emotional day, not only for everyone who works at District 6 and knew Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, but for the community as a whole.

Dozens of people gathered in the neighborhood Tuesday afternoon to express their grief and support.

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Dozens of people began streaming into Chicago’s District 6 police station, including Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina, just before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

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

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

A nearly three-year veteran of the department, Martinez was killed Monday evening shortly after 8 p.m. while he and others were conducting a traffic stop in East Chatham.

According to police, there were three individuals in the vehicle. One of them, police said, opened fire on Martinez, killing him and the occupant of the front seat. The identity of this person has not been revealed.

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

Snelling said the rear passenger as well as the person believed responsible for the shooting were in custody.

“What we are asking for and what we anticipate and expect is a swift call for justice to ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable. And the individuals who continue to sow terror in our city, we will ask accounts,” declared the mayor. Brandon Johnson said Monday during a late night news conference.

But the shooter first tried to flee, hitting a second police officer with his vehicle in the process.

“We will pursue you to the fullest extent of the law. We will do the best investigation possible, gather all the evidence to make sure we put these people in prison so they never see the light of day again,” Snelling said.

And while the details are still under investigation, Snelling confirmed that one of the people in the vehicle had an ankle monitor that had been cut off.

“We need to do everything we can to keep violent offenders off the streets, especially those who repeat these acts,” Snelling said. “If we don’t do this, then we will betray our citizens. We will betray our children. We will betray their future. We must keep violent offenders off the streets.”

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

“I’m calling on everyone in this city to pray for this family. But I’m also calling on the people of this city to hug each other, and especially for our police department,” Johnson said.

Police said they recovered two weapons, including one with an extended magazine.

The exact circumstances of the traffic stop have not been released.

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

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

The news about the suspect’s ankle monitor led Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara to call for more accountability in crime-fighting efforts.

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

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

It has the third highest violent crime rate of any district in the city with 237 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, behind District 7 and District 11. However, violent crime increased 5.4% over of the last three 12 months compared to the average of the last three months. three years.

However, some violent crimes, such as homicides and shootings, are down in the District.

• There were 63 homicides in District 6 over the past 12 months: seven homicides per 100,000 residents, down 11.3% from the previous three-year average.
• 652 thefts in District 6 over the past 12 months: 75 thefts per 100,000 residents, up 10.8% from the previous three-year average
• 247 shootings (fatal and non-fatal) in the last 12 months: 28 shootings per 100,000 residents, down 21.4% from the previous three-year average

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

Retired CPD Sergeant Tracy Quarles served in this position for 25 years. He said his best friend and fellow officer was killed years ago during a traffic stop.

“I’ve seen police-involved shootings, police officers being shot from my first day on the job and even watching the news last night,” Quarles said Tuesday. “I let it play out in my mind. From seeing friends and colleagues at work to attending many funerals over the years.”

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

Her husband is a CPD officer. She sees the department losing experienced agents.

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

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

Martinez’s death brought back tragic memories for Gold Star families, like that 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, another nightmare, really unbelievable that we’re here again with one of our officers taken from us,” Wortham said. “We have to be realistic about what we’re facing here, our public safety challenge and be realistic about solving this problem, because our lives depend on it, and that’s not an exaggeration.”

There was a somber procession for Martinez early Tuesday as a line of police vehicles escorted his body to the medical examiner’s office.

Martinez leaves behind a heartbroken family, including, ABC7 says, a fiancée and a brother who is also on the force.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or COPA, is investigating.

The agents concerned will be assigned to routine administrative tasks for a minimum period of 30 days.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office released a statement regarding the shooting, saying “The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office is cooperating with the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services and the Chicago Police Department to provide any necessary assistance in its investigation into the shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office has no further comment on this ongoing investigation by the Chicago Police Department.

Johnson released a statement saying: “I am deeply heartbroken to learn that we 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 greatest sacrifice.

“There will be justice for the officer’s family. There will be justice for our city. And 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 than the Chicago Police Department as they endure this tragedy.

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

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