The Independent Police Review authority ruled the fatal 2007 Chicago police-involved shooting of 18-year-old Aaron Harrison justified, according to investigation documents released Wednesday.
The Independent Police Review authority ruled the fatal 2007 Chicago police-involved shooting of 18-year-old Aaron Harrison justified, according to investigation documents released Wednesday. “A preponderance of the physical evidence supports Officer A’s account,” the report stated, clearing the officer of excessive force allegations. Harrison, 18, was fatally shot by Chicago police Aug. 6, 2007 in the 1100 block of South Mozart Street. Witnesses said Harrison was running from the police and his back was to the officers when he was shot. They also contend the teen wasn’t in possession of a gun. Police said the teen was armed and ignored orders to drop the weapon. A loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene, they said. Eight witnesses reportedly saw the shooting but didn’t see Harrison brandish a weapon, however, autopsy results, two independent witness statements and physical evidence backed up the officer’s account of the shooting, said IPRA chief Ilana Rosenzweig. After the incident, a crowd of nearly 300 people filled the streets and in front of the 11th District police station at Harrison and Kedzie Avenues, outraged about the shooting. Many expressed their frustration by throwing bottles at the police and shouting, “No justice, no peace, no racist police.” A few weeks later, residents took over the monthly police board meeting at police headquarters, which resulted in the meeting being shut down about 20 minutes after it began. Harrison’s mother Annie Johnson and aunt Ashunda Harris said Wednesday they expected the investigation to support the officer. A full report of the 17-month investigation can be found online at www.iprachicago.org. ______ Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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