Two brothers charged in fatal shooting that killed police officer Ella French in Chicago
Brothers Eric and Emote Morgan are charged over the shooting this weekend of police officer Ella French, the first female police officer to be killed whilst on duty in Chicago in 33 years. A third man Jamel Danzy has also been charged after being accused of supplying the weapon.
Chicago has been in mourning for the last few days after the tragic event which left 29-year-old police officer Ella French, tragically killed in the line of duty, her partner was also critically wounded in the incident but is improving in hospital, the police confirmed.
Two brothers have been charged over the incident. The youngest brother Emonte, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, one count of aggravated and unlawful use of a weapon, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, Chicago Police confirmed.
Eric, 22, the eldest brother has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon as well as one count of obstructing justice. They are expected to appear before the court on Tuesday.
Jamel Danzy was charged separately by federal prosecutors for the purchase of the firearm under false pretences and handing it over to the brothers before it was used in the violent murder.
David Brown, Chicago Police superintendent said during a press conference that a woman who fled the shooting with the Morgan brother has not been charged.
Mr Brown went on to confirm that Emonte had struggled with Ms French from the trunk to the near inside of the car during the traffic stop in West Englewood on Saturday, during the altercation one of the brothers was also shot in the gunfire.
Ella French was part of a three-officer Community Safety Team that made the traffic stop due to the fact the car had expired plates.
Investigators were “still working” on a motive behind why the shootout erupted. Mr Brown told the press conference on Monday evening that Chicago officers feel alone, unsupported and a lot of anger as a result of a “consistent beatdown” and criticism of the police from across society and on social media.
“It’s past time to stop this imbalanced treatment of police officers in Chicago and everywhere in this country,” Mr Brown said.
“But for these types of traffic stops, our cities wouldn’t be safe... officers put themselves in harms way stopping suspects like this so we can all sleep safely in our homes at night,” he added.