Chicago, IL — In a tragic unfolding of events this week in East Chatham, 26-year-old Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop that escalated violently. The accused, 23-year-old Darion McMillian, now faces multiple serious charges including first-degree murder of a police officer, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
According to Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, the incident occurred late Monday evening when Officer Martinez and his partner, conducting routine patrols, stopped a car that was obstructing traffic in the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue. The situation took a deadly turn when McMillian, a passenger in the vehicle, allegedly produced a fully automatic handgun and began firing.
Tragically, Officer Martinez was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center following the attack. Adding to the chaos, McMillian is also accused of killing the car’s driver before commandeering the vehicle, leading to a brief but dangerous pursuit. The car crashed into a parked vehicle a short distance away as McMillian fled on foot.
Following the crash, McMillian forcibly entered a nearby apartment where he removed his electronic monitoring bracelet, according to Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti. A woman present in the apartment at the time was unharmed. Law enforcement officers later apprehended McMillian in the vicinity of the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue. Additional charges against him were approved following his capture.
The violent episode underscores ongoing concerns about armed criminals, particularly those out on electronic monitoring. McMillian was reportedly a convicted felon who had previously been charged with attempting to defraud a drug screening test. His extensive criminal record included a conviction for aggravated battery in 2019 for which he was sentenced to four years in prison.
Speaking to the gravity of the situation, Superintendent Snelling expressed frustration and anger over the loss of Officer Martinez. “Every time we lose an officer, it’s a stark reminder of the dangers that our brave men and women in uniform face daily,” Snelling stated. He also highlighted the bravery of officers who “run toward danger” to protect the city’s residents.
Community leaders and law enforcement officials have been vocal about the risks faced by officers on the front lines. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx reiterated the sacrifices made by police officers and stressed the city’s commitment to ensuring justice for Officer Martinez and other fallen officers.
The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police revealed that Officer Martinez, who had nearly three years of service, was due to be married in just a few months. His death adds to a growing list of CPD officers who have fallen in the line of duty over recent years, intensifying calls for greater measures to protect law enforcement personnel.
As the community mourns, reflection on the continual risks faced by police officers remains a poignant backdrop to ongoing discussions about public safety and criminal justice. Officer Martinez’s death not only highlights the dangerous unpredictability in the line of law enforcement work but also strengthens the resolve among officers and city officials to combat violence head-on. Services to honor his sacrifice are currently being planned, even as the legal proceedings against McMillian begin. The case continues to develop, with McMillian’s initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday.