The death of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca will be considered “in the line of duty” after he was shot while walking home from duty over the weekend, police said Tuesday.
“On what would have been his 31st birthday, we mourn the loss of Officer Huesca in the line of duty due to the violence he worked against to protect our city,” police tweeted Tuesday from Chicago. “We will always support his family and continue his legacy of service and kindness.”
Funeral details were expected to be released this week.
Huesca was found shot to death early Sunday morning in the 3100 block of West 56th Street.
Officers found Huesca near his home, reporting he had been shot multiple times. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Huesca was returning home after a shift at the time of the shooting. Authorities said he was in uniform and his vehicle was impounded after the shooting.
“The officer was wearing his uniform, (but) he had something covering him,” Supt. » said Larry Snelling. “We’re still in the preliminary stages at the moment.”
Police are investigating the circumstances of the shooting, including whether the incident began with a carjacking, authorities said.
“What we do know is that the officer’s vehicle was taken, but to know the full motive of what happened, we need more information and the detective division is working on it,” he said. Snelling said.
Officials say the ATF and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the investigation.
On Monday, surveillance footage and still images were released showing a person of interest who police say was wanted in the Chicago officer’s killing.
According to the CPD, the person should be considered “armed and dangerous.”
Police released a series of clips taken at several locations, including a convenience store. Another clip shows the man walking down a street Sunday morning, just 10 minutes before a ShotSpotter alert that brought officers to the 5500 block of South Kedzie Avenue.
Chicago police have released a new video in an effort to identify the person responsible for the shooting death of CPD Officer Luis Huesca. (Credit: Chicago Police)
After a search of the area, officers found Huesca in the 3100 block of West 56.th Street.
Chicago police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual shown in the videos. Anyone with information can submit anonymous tips at CPDTip.com. Witnesses can also call Detective Campbell or Area One Detectives at 312-747-8380.
Huesca worked on the 5 of the departmentth District, the same district where Officer Areanah Preston, who was shot and killed last year, worked.
Huesca, a six-year veteran of the force, was just two days shy of his 31st birthday.st birthday Sunday when he was shot, police said.
The shooting comes just 13 months after the death of Chicago police officer Andrés Vásquez-Lasso, who was killed on March 1, 2023, while responding to a domestic disturbance call in the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue.
Huesca was friends with Vásquez-Lasso and, in a video published by CPD, paid tribute to his deceased colleague and friend.
“Andrés was the embodiment of the American dream, because he came to this country looking for a way to get ahead and make a difference in society,” he said. “I moved away from mediocrity. I did what others would not do in their lifetime and I truly succeeded in this country. He is one of those guys who really deserved this star.
Huesca said the tributes to Vásquez-Lasso were very appropriate given his sacrifice and his journey to the Chicago Police Department.
“If he had seen the hundreds of officers who were outside the commemoration, the people who stopped during their daily activities, exited their homes, exited their vehicles and silently held their hands over their hearts …. I think Andrés would have been very proud,” he said.
NBC Chicago
