Chicago Police Officer Killed On Way Home From Work: Officials

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer was shot and killed on his way home from work early Sunday morning, according to law enforcement.

Authorities identified the fallen officer as 30-year-old Luis Huesca of the Fifth District and Priority Response Team.

Officers responded shortly before 3 a.m. to a gunshot alert in the 5500 block of South Kedzie Avenue in the Gage Park neighborhood and found Huesca nearby with gunshot wounds in the 3100 block of West 56th Street, according to police, who said he was taken to a hospital and died.

Huesca was wearing his uniform as well as "something that covered it up" when he was attacked and his vehicle was stolen, Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a press conference streamed by WGN.

“He was just a great officer, great human being,” Snelling said. “And today that officer was a victim of the type of crime that he was working against to keep people safe in this city.”

Huesca was two days away from his 31st birthday and a six-year member of the department, according to Snelling, who said Huesca is survived by his mother and uncle.

“No family or community should ever have to suffer such pain,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a prepared statement, adding he met with Huesca’s family Sunday morning. “Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family, as well as Luis’ fellow officers and community.”