CHICAGO – Two men will appear in court later today to face charges of physically attacking Chicago police officers outside a West Side memorial service this weekend.
Viral videos began circulating shortly after the attack began Saturday afternoon in the 4300 block of West Madison. Police officers stated that an altercation between gangs began during a “gang funeral,” but officials have not publicly stated why officers were assigned to the location.
What exactly led to the physical altercation has not yet been made public, but could be revealed when the two men appear in court.
CPD dispatchers declared a “10-1” police emergency at 12:24 p.m., bringing in backup resources from surrounding city areas.
“4334 West Madison, a 10-1,” a coordinator announced. “I have an officer on the scene asking for more cars… We have a large crowd on the scene… we have officers shouting 10-1.”
“I need more cars ASAP… Gang fighting in the church after a gang funeral,” she announced.
Overnight, CPD announced that Demarco Hunter, 25, and Michael Fitzgerald, 37, have each been charged with misdemeanor battery on a peace officer. Fitzgerald also faced four misdemeanor charges of resisting.
One video tweeted by Chicago Contrarian showed an officer with blood streaming down his forehead and nose.
“Jesus Christ!” The man who records things shouts. “They jumped on the police!”
Hi, @Chicagos Mayor: Your officers are being attacked in the streets in broad daylight.
If these were violence interrupters, you would be on the scene throwing a tantrum demanding residents obey the ‘yellow vests’.
Start doing your damn job and publicly support CPD, Mr. Mayor! https://t.co/s8veUJBAgv pic.twitter.com/P60sSVc44I
— Chicago Contrar (@ChicagoContrar1) October 26, 2024
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