As many of you know, this past Saturday, a tragic set of events led to a shooting at Endeavor Swedish Hospital that took the life of Officer John Bartholomew and wounded another officer who is now fighting for his life.
Like many of you, I am heartbroken by what happened, and struggling to understand the events that led up to it. In the moment, I and my office worked to ensure neighbors throughout the ward steered clear of the area before the suspect––now identified as Alphanso Talley––was thankfully apprehended by the Chicago Police Department after escaping Swedish Hospital. After the shooting, I went to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where the officers were taken. My heart is with the families of the officers, and I ask that our neighbors of faith pray for them during this incredibly difficult time.
I can’t quite put into words how I feel, but I know that I have questions about what needs to be done to prevent anything like this from happening again. As we learn more through investigation, my hope is that we will identify protocols that can be improved, and that ultimately, justice will be served.
What we have learned is that the suspect has an extensive and violent criminal record. While others blame the SAFE-T Act, I believe their blame is misplaced. The SAFE-T Act shifts the burden of pre-trial release decisions onto our judges, and prevents suspects of violent crime the ability to buy their release. The burden, more than ever, is on our judges to exercise discernment in who can be safely released. I have questions and concerns regarding the judge who allowed Alphonso Talley to be released pre-trial on electronic monitoring, especially as the State voiced its concerns. Our office is working to get a better understanding how and why this happened.
As we await more information, if you would like to support the family of Officer Bartholomew, you can do so through their GoFundMe. A family is without its father, whose life was taken while in service of our community’s safety, and we will do our best as a city to show them our support in the weeks and months to come.