The investigation into the shooting death of retired Chicago police officer Larry Neuman continues as authorities took into custody Sunday evening a person of interest in connection with the case.
As of 9:15 p.m. Sunday, a Chicago police spokesperson confirmed that a person of interest had been taken into custody. Footage captured by an NBC Chicago photographer earlier in the evening showed the individual arriving in a black vehicle and then being taken into custody by officers.
This development comes hours after dozens of community members marched down West Monroe Street in honor of Neuman, 73. The rally began at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church, where Neuman served, and ended outside his home, where he was shot and killed.
“We have lost a great pillar of this community,” said Pastor Paul Sims of St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church. “It’s time for senseless violence, it’s time for change in our community.”
Chicago police did not provide further details about the person in custody.
As the investigation into Neuman’s death continues, here’s what we currently know.
Retired CPD officer Larry Neuman shot dead outside his home
Larry Neuman was shot and killed last Thursday morning in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, authorities said.
Police say around 11:30 a.m., Neuman was doing yard work outside his home in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street when he was shot and injured.
He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Visitation for Neuman is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Friday evening, with a visitation scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday morning. Following the tour, a homecoming celebration will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
All services are expected to be held at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church in the city’s West Garfield neighborhood.
Person of interest in custody
A day before CPD confirmed a person of interest was in custody, Chicago police released surveillance video of two suspects wanted in connection with Neuman’s murder. The video, released by police, appeared to come from a home surveillance camera and showed the two suspects walking in an alley near the scene of the murder.
As of Sunday evening, it was still unclear whether the person detained was one of the individuals seen in the video.
At the time of the shooting, one person was arrested at the scene and was being questioned by detectives, police said.
Who was Larry Neuman?
Neuman, the city’s longest-serving bomb technician, retired in 2010. He worked with the police department for 28 years.
“He spent his entire career protecting our city and spent his retirement as a reverend, speaking out against violent crime plaguing our neighborhoods,” Supt. Larry Snelling said last week during a Chicago Police Board meeting at police headquarters. “Please keep his family in your thoughts.”
A specialist in transportation security explosives, Neuman joined the TSA in 2010 and has worked at O’Hare and Midway airports, an agency spokesperson said. In his current position, Neuman trained screening personnel at both airports to detect explosives and other potential threats.
Neuman was a “pillar” of his beloved West Garfield Park community, according to Pastor Paul Sims of St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church. Neuman had been a member of the church for 30 years.
“He was the kindest man you knew,” Sims said. “There was nothing Larry Neuman wouldn’t do for someone. If you needed it and he didn’t have it, he would go get it for you.
Neuman was an ordained preacher and was on the church’s ministerial staff, Sims said. Neuman loved sharing his wisdom with young people, never hesitating to give advice.
“He would stop and talk to everyone,” Sims said. “He would encourage you, no matter what you did in life, no matter what it was, he would stop and talk to someone.”
Neuman was also a Marine veteran who served in the Vietnam War, Sims said.
“He was a family man, he was a grandfather, he loved his grandchildren, he loved helping me at church with the young people,” Sims said. “He was a great man, he was a great person.”
NBC Chicago
