Paul Bauer killed: Suspect in Chicago Police Commander shooting 'wore a bulletproof vest' and 'had prior convictions'
The suspect in the fatal shooting of a Chicago police officer reportedly had a lengthy criminal record and was carrying a semiautomatic handgun and a bulletproof vest.
Commander Paul Bauer was shot and killed after attempting to help apprehend a person of interest in downtown Chicago who matched a description sent out over police radio. After initially saying Mr Bauer was off duty, authorities clarified that he was working at the time of the incident.
Authorities said they planned to file charges within 36 hours after detectives worked overnight gathering evidence. While they had not yet named the suspect, a partial portrait began to emerge.
The alleged assailant was carrying a semiautomatic handgun with an extended ammunition clip and wearing a bulletproof vest, according to a police official who spoke to the Associated Press.
The suspect also had compiled a criminal record that stretched back years and included multiple convictions, according to multiple news outlets that cited court records and police sources.
A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department did not immediately respond to the Independent's request for comment.
Police leadership was addressed by Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the start of the day.
A very somber morning at police headquarters as Superintendent Eddie Johnson and @ChicagosMayor wrap up their address to Commanders on the loss of a great friend and even greater police commander Paul Bauer pic.twitter.com/E1M4hUHa29
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 14, 2018
Mr Bauer had served on the force for decades and left behind a wife and daughter, authorities said. A police spokesman said the department would work to care for his family.
“CPD officers will step in for Paul & take his young daughter to school from here on in,” spokesman Anthony Gugliemi said.
