CHICAGO — Shocking new details emerged Monday in the tragic shooting death of Officer Krystal Rivera, with Cook County prosecutors confirming that she was unintentionally killed by her fellow officer during a tense hallway confrontation with an armed suspect last week.
Officer Fatally Shot By Friendly Fire
During a court hearing for the accused suspect, prosecutors revealed that Rivera was struck in the head by one of two shots fired by her partner, not the gunman.
According to Assistant State’s Attorney Anne McCord Rodgers, Rivera had taken cover behind a wall in a hallway of a Near West Side apartment building on June 5, just as her partner began firing in response to the threat posed by an armed suspect.
“Unbeknownst to him, Officer Rivera had ducked behind a hallway wall,” McCord Rodgers told the court. “He fired two rounds. One of those rounds struck Officer Rivera in the head.”
The gunfire followed a confrontation with 37-year-old Deshawn Johnson, who had allegedly pointed a gun at police during a domestic-related call. Johnson has since been charged with armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and possessing a weapon as a felon.
Bodycam Footage Confirms Incident Timeline
Prosecutors stated that body-worn camera footage from both officers confirmed the sequence of events, including Johnson drawing his weapon, Rivera’s movements, and her partner’s split-second reaction.
Rivera, 30, was transported to Stroger Hospital following the shooting, where she was pronounced dead. She was a mother of two and had served with the Chicago Police Department for four years.
Authorities emphasized that the partner officer’s actions were not criminal and that charges remain focused solely on Johnson, whose firearm was recovered on the scene.
Johnson Remains Held Without Bail
Deshawn Johnson appeared in court for a bail hearing Monday and was ordered held without bail. The judge cited the grave nature of the confrontation and the fact that Johnson’s actions directly led to a police officer’s death — even though it was her partner’s bullet that ultimately proved fatal.
The case remains under review by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), which is investigating the full use-of-force incident.
Were you in the Near West Side area when this tragedy unfolded? Do you believe officers have enough tools to manage high-risk domestic calls safely? Share your thoughts in the comments at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
