CHICAGO (WLS) — Lawyers announced a civil investigation into the police shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera Wednesday.
The law firm of Romanucci & Blandin held a news conference Wednesday afternoon downtown Chicago.
Lawyers announced a civil investigation into the Chicago police shooting death of CPD Officer Krystal Rivera in Chatham Wednesday.
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Yolanda Rivera, Krystal Rivera’s mother, is a client of the firm, lawyers said.
Lawyers on Wednesday called for more information to be released about how Rivera died, and claimed her partner has faced disciplinary action before.
“We believe in justice. That can only happen with release by ISP. We as a family need answers and the city, too. We believe this is a small ask for the price she paid in the commission of duty,” Yolanda Rivera said. “She was the center, heartbeat, and now everything feels so quiet without her.”
Officer Rivera died in the line of duty on June 5 when investigators said she was unintentionally shot by a fellow officer during a tactical operation in the Chatham neighborhood.
Rivera was responding to a call of a suspect with a gun. That led to a chase into an apartment building.
CPD said the only shot fired that night came from Rivera’s police partner; ABC7 Chicago is not naming him because he has not been charged with a crime.
The lawyers Wednesday said that’s pretty much all they know.
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According to a 2024 Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability disciplinary report obtained by the I-Team, the officer who shot and killed Officer Rivera had five previous complaints of misconduct, where findings were sustained. And, as a result, the officer faced three suspensions and two reprimands in the first few years of employment with CPD.
Lawyers and Rivera’s family want to know how this young officer was able to remain on the police force.
Attorneys say Officer Rivera’s family was shown limited, edited clips of police body camera footage of the incident.
Now, attorneys and Officer Rivera’s mother are begging to see more.
“Release the body cam footage. We do need to know all tactical decisions,” attorney Antonio Romanucci said. “We want to know: Is this shooting being treated differently because the bullet came from another officer? Why? I have a strong feeling if that shot came from a civilian’s gun we would have a lot more information.”
A circuit court judge has sealed records related to the shooting, including body camera video for that night.
“She was admired by her fellow officers. She was a woman of character. As her mother, I am asking for complete transparency to understand what happened that night. I need to know the truth,” Yolanda Rivera said.
An attorney representing the officer who fired the shot that killed Rivera said in a statement, in part, “There is no indication that (Rivera’s partner) is under any criminal investigation and I see no reason to believe that would change. (Rivera’s partner) is heartbroken over what happened on that night and will privately process his grief. The focus should not be on second guessing each tactical decision made but rather on the profound loss of a great police officer and equally great person in Officer Rivera.”
Attorneys for Officer Rivera’s family say they have not received any response from the Chicago Police Department to a letter asking for an independent investigation.
“Who here is the victim? We will not accept being pushed to the side. That this is a tragedy and not having questions answered,” Romanucci said.
Lawyers said they will pursue every legal avenue to find out what happened.
Chicago police said Rivera’s partner will remain on administrative duty throughout the investigation.
“COPA is actively conducting a thorough investigation into this incident. In addition, anytime an officer discharges their firearm, we notify the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) and did so in this incident,” the agency said.
Attorneys believe Illinois State Police should conduct an independent investigation.
Officer Rivera was laid to rest last Wednesday.
She was a 36-year-old mother and four-year veteran of CPD. Rivera was assigned to the 6th District.
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