Man fatally shot by Chicago police in South Shore

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) - Authorities have identified a man who was fatally shot Saturday afternoon during a confrontation with a Chicago Police officer in the South Shore neighborhood.

About 5:30 p.m., officers on foot saw “a man exhibiting characteristics of an armed person” in the 2000 block of East 71st Street and a “confrontation” ensued when they tried to question him, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tweeted.

A male officer then opened fire, striking 37-year-old Harith Augustus, according to Guglielmi and Frank Shuftan, a spokesman for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Augustus was taken to Jackson Park Hospital and pronounced dead at 5:50 p.m. He lived in the South Shore neighborhood, less than a mile from where he was killed.

No officers were hurt, and a weapon was recovered at the scene along with several magazines of ammunition, according to Guglielmi.

A chaotic scene simmered for hours after the encounter, as dozens of people chanting “murderers” and “no justice, no peace” lingered in the neighborhood. Several officers were hurt by rocks and bottles that were hurled at them during the melee.

Four protesters were detained, Guglielmi said. Three felony charges were pending against one of the protesters, while the three others were likely detained and released without being formally arrested.

Protesters eventually made their way to the 3rd District police station at 70th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue.

In a late-night press conference outside CPD headquarters, Chief of Patrol Fred Waller said Augustus had a bulge near his waistband and “became combative.” Guglielmi said the shooting was captured on the officer’s body camera.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the use of force. Tips can be submitted at (312) 746-3609 or chicagocopa.org.