CHICAGO (WLS) — Tuesday has been and continues to be a very emotional day not only for everyone who works in District 6 and knew Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martínez, but for the community at large.

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

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Dozens of people began arriving at Chicago’s District 6 police station, including Santa Sabina Father Michael Pfleger, shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

While ABC7 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 are mourning one of their own, 26-year-old Martinez.

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

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

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

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

The alleged shooter initially attempted to flee the scene, striking a second police officer with his vehicle in the process.

“What we are asking for and what we anticipate and hope for is a swift call for justice to ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable. And the individuals who continue to seek terror in our city, we will hold them accountable,” the mayor said . Brandon Johnson said at a late-night press conference on Monday.

That person was later detained, Snelling said.

“We will prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. We will do the best investigation possible, we will collect all the evidence to make sure we put people like this away so they never see the light of the crime.” day again,” Snelling said.

Another person, who was in the back seat of the vehicle at the time of the shooting, was also arrested. That passenger, who was not involved in the shooting, was later released, police said Tuesday.

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

“We have to do everything we can to keep violent criminals off the streets, especially those who repeat these acts,” Snelling said. “If we don’t do that, we are failing our citizens. We are failing our children. We are failing their future. We have to keep violent criminals off the streets.”

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

“I call on all residents of this city to pray for this family. But I also call on the residents of this city to hold each other and particularly our police department,” Johnson said.

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

“We have to say, ‘Enough is enough.’ We can’t keep showing up in police district after police district and seeing our officers shot to death,” said District 15 Ald. Raimundo López.

The exact circumstances surrounding the traffic stop have not been disclosed.

Police said one of the officers at the scene managed to return fire, but it is unclear if anyone was injured as a result.

“At this time, we know that there was an officer who discharged his weapon at the scene. Those officers’ weapons are still being examined at this time,” Snelling said. “There is evidence to recover. And that’s all the information we have on it at this time.”

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

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

The 6th Ward is one of the most violent neighborhoods in Chicago. In the past 12 months, 2,053 violent crimes (homicide, criminal sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated assault) have been 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% in the last 12 months , three compared to the previous year’s average. three years.

However, some violent crimes, such as homicides and shootings, have decreased in the district.

• In District 6 there have been 63 homicides in the last 12 months: seven homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, 11.3% less than the average of the previous three years.
• 652 robberies in District 6 in the last 12 months: 75 robberies per 100,000 inhabitants, 10.8% more than the average of the previous three years
• 247 shootings (both fatal and non-fatal) in the last 12 months: 28 shootings per 100,000 people, 21.4% less than the average of the previous three years

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 was on the job for 25 years. He said his best friend and fellow officer died years ago in a traffic stop.

“I saw officer-involved shootings, officers getting shot from my first day on the job and even last night watching the news,” Quarles said Tuesday. “I let that play out in my mind. In terms of seeing friends and colleagues at work or attending numerous funerals over the years.”

Councilwoman Silvana Tabares, who represents District 23, wants more to be done to protect citizens and officers.

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

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

“We’ve lost a lot of young officers, a lot of young Latino officers in the last year and a half. With Officer Vásquez Lasso and Officer Huesca and now, Officer Martínez, it’s very tragic. 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 the family 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 being taken from us,” Wortham said. “We have to be realistic about what we face here, our public safety challenge, and be realistic about solving it, because all of our lives depend on it, and that’s not an overstatement.”

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

Martínez leaves behind a heartbroken family, which includes, ABC7 is told, a fiancée and a brother who is also part of the police force.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating.

The officials involved will carry out 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 State Office of Pretrial Services and the Chicago Police Department with any necessary assistance in their investigation into the shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez. The “Will County State’s Attorney’s Office has no further comment regarding this ongoing investigation by the Chicago Police Department.”

CPD issued a statement, saying: “The Chicago Police Department is mourning the loss of a brave hero who protected our city to the end. We are heartbroken with his family and loved ones. In grief, #NeverForget.”

Johnson issued a statement, saying: “I am deeply heartbroken that yesterday we lost a member of the Chicago Police Department. 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 ultimate 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 as the Chicago Police Department .while enduring this tragedy.

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

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