13-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead By Chicago Police In 'Armed Confrontation'

The person fatally shot in a police encounter in Chicago on early Monday has been identified as a 13-year-old boy, local authorities said.

Adam Toledo was shot and killed by a local police officer during what was described as an "armed confrontation" at around 2:35 a.m. in Little Village, WLS-TV reported. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene and his death was ruled a homicide. He was later identified by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Officers were responding to an alert from ShotSpotter, the city's gunfire detection system, when they encountered Toledo and 21-year-old Ruben Roman. A pursuit on foot ended with Toledo's death and Roman's capture.

"Officers observed two subjects in a nearby alley, one subject fled on foot which resulted in an armed confrontation. One subject shot and killed. 2nd subject in custody," a police spokersperson said.

Roman was charged with a misdemeanor for resisting an officer. The firearm allegedly used in the encounter was recovered by authorities.

An investigation revealed the officer who encountered Toledo fired his gun once in the chest and that the incident was captured on body camera video. However, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability explained that the footage cannot be released without a court order due to Toledo's young age.

Elizabeth Toledo, the boy's mother, said she wanted to know what really happened in the encounter.

"I just want justice. I just want answers.. what happened?" the mother said. "I just want justice for my son. That's all."

COPA noted in a statement that it was, "Currently making every effort and researching all legal avenues that will allow for the public release of all video materials which capture the tragic fatal shooting of [Toledo.]"

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, for her part, has called for the body camera footage to be made available immediately.

"Because his family and the public will undoubtedly have many questions, we must release any relevant videos as soon as possible," Lightfoot said. "These are the most complex cases that COPA investigates, transparency and speed are crucial."

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown shared the same opinion as Lightfoot.

"We fully support the investigation being conducted by the [COPA], and adamantly call for the release of any and all video, including body-worn camera footage, related to the incident," Brown said in a statement.

According to Brown, "The officer involved has been placed on routine administrative duty for a period of 30 days."