'Her name was Ella French': Killing of Chicago police officer sparks nationwide outrage
WASHINGTON (SBG) - As violent crime continues to surge in some of the nation's largest cities, the killing of a29-year-old Chicago police officer over the weekend has renewed frustration over growing anti-police sentiment across the country.
Officials say Officer Ella French was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Chicago'sWest Englewood neighborhood Saturday night. Her partner, who remains unidentified, was seriously wounded during the shooting and is "fighting for his life" in a local hospital, according to the Chicago Police Department.
The incident has led to an outpouring of sorrow and support on social media, with many reciting the phrase "Her Name Was Ella French" to pay tribute to the fallen officer. Prayer vigils are being organized locally to honor the life and legacy of Officer French.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted Sunday that "guns and the violence they bring" are responsible for Officer French's death. Critics lambasted the mayor for allegedly using the incident to push an anti-firearm political agenda.
Anthony Barksdale, former Deputy Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, criticized Mayor Lightfoot for placing the blame on guns instead of violent offenders, predicting her approach will continue to enable violence in embattled Chicago.
"Guns don’t load themselves. Guns don’t aim and pull their own triggers. Politicians and police executives that prioritize guns over the specific violent criminals using them to harm others will continue to see excessive violence in their cities," Barksdale said.
Frustration with Mayor Lightfoot reportedly reached a boiling point on Saturday evening when she visited Officer French's wounded partner in the hospital. A contingent of 30 Chicago police officers, also visiting their injured colleague, turned their backs when the mayor tried to approach them, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Sun-Times also reports the wounded officer's father yelled at Mayor Lightfoot during her hospital visit, blaming her for the incident that left his son with critical injuries.
The Office of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx has charged 21-year-old Emonte Morgan with first-degree and attempted murder of a peace officer in connection with the lethal shooting, per a press release.
Twenty-two-year-old Eric Morgan is also facing charges stemming from the incident, including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and obstruction of justice. Both Emonte and Eric Morgan have previous felony convictions on their records.
Federal prosecutors have charged a third man with illegally purchasing the firearm used in the shooting, claiming he made the purchase on behalf of a convicted felon. Neither Emonte nor Eric Morgan could lawfully purchase a firearm due to their past felony convictions.
Critics have accused Foxx of taking a relaxed approach to law enforcement. Foxx has dismissed significantly more cases than her predecessor, some of which involve alleged murder, shootings, sex crimes, according to the Daily Mail.
Thirty-seven police officers have been killed by gunfire in the line of duty this year, on pace to top last year's mark of 45 line of duty deaths caused by gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.