The Civilian Office of Police Accountability had recommended that the officer who fired the shots, Evan Solano, be dismissed because he was not justified in shooting Anthony Alvarez in the back.
Anthony Alvarez shooting: Chicago cop will not face charges in shooting death of 22-year-old
In the Alvarez case, Solano fired five shots as he pursued the 22-year-old through the Portage Park neighborhood early on March 31, 2021, striking him in the back and thigh after he ignored orders to drop a handgun and appeared to turn his body. The Jefferson Park District officers said they recognized Alvarez from a domestic call with the mother of his child in April 2020 in which Solano detained Alvarez during a foot pursuit.
Roughly 24 hours later, the officers encountered Alvarez again near a gas station at Addison Street and Laramie Avenue. They began chasing him and Solano saw Alvarez holding a gun in the 5200 block of West Eddy Street and ordered him to drop it. Then Solano opened fire."You had a gun!" Solano responded.Solano told COPA investigators he opened fire after Alvarez looked over his shoulder, fearing Alvarez was turning around to shoot him and his partner.