UPDATE: Cops Involved In CTA Shooting Stripped Of Police Powers

CHICAGO — Interim police Supt. Charlie Beck stripped two officers of their police powers after one of them shot an unarmed man at a CTA Red Line station last week.

The top cop's decision came hours after the city's police watchdog unexpectedly recommended taking the officers off the street.

"Due to the serious nature of both officers' actions, I felt it was necessary to recommend the officers involved be relieved of police powers while we continue to investigate this incident," Office of Police Accountability Chief Administrator Sydney Roberts said.

Beck "reviewed COPA's recommendation regarding the February 28th incident at the CTA Grand Red Line Station. As a result of the Superintendent's review of the incident, both of the involved officers have been relieved of their police powers pending the outcome of the external reviews into this matter," according to a statement.

The unarmed man, Ariel Roman, was shot twice at the CTA Red Line Station at Grand Avenue and State Street. Roman was stopped for allegedly jumping between train cars, a city ordinance violation.

A viral video posted on Twitter showed Roman appearing to resist arrest. One of the officers can be heard on the video repeatedly telling his partner to "shoot 'em."

A female officer shot Roman twice, striking him in the abdomen and buttocks as the 33 year-old man fled.

[Warning: video may be disturbing to some readers.]

A COPA spokesman said Wednesday that investigators reviewed the Twitter video, other CTA surveillance camera recordings of the shooting and police reports, and they interviewed witnesses before making public the decision to call for stripping the two officers of police powers.

"As the City of Chicago’s police oversight agency, we have a responsibility to keep the public informed and to remain transparent in each of our investigations," Roberts said in a statement.

COPA's investigation remains in its "early stages," and a final conclusion hasn't been reached, officials said. Anyone with additional information or video related to the shooting can forward details to COPA investigators at 312-746-3609.