Death of off-duty Chicago police officer being investigated as suicide
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) - The death of an off-duty Chicago police officer who was found shot to death Saturday night on the Near West Side is being investigated as a suicide.
The officer, a 47-year-old woman, was found shot at 9:33 p.m. in her personal vehicle in the 900 block of South Bell, according to Chicago police.
The officer, who lived in the same block, was pronounced dead just over 20 minutes later, police said.
On Sunday morning, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tweeted that a preliminary investigation found the officer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Detectives have classified this as a death investigation as we investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting & await confirmation & additional info from the medical examiner, Guglielmi said in the tweet.
An autopsy ruling on the officer’s cause and manner of death is scheduled for Sunday, the medical examiner’s office said.
Guglielmi said the officer was a sergeant in the 12th District.
Police initially said the officer was killed in a “domestic-related incident” and that a man was in custody in connection with her death. Hours later, CPD spokesman Tom Ahern said that was no longer accurate.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, there are places to get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255. You can also chat with them online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.
Here are some common warning signs of suicide, as provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings