On Wednesday, two Chicago police cars responded to 911 calls about a domestic dispute. According to callers, a man was chasing his girlfriend down the street with a weapon. In the end, a Chicago Police Officer lost his life.
As officers arrived, one squad headed to a residence’s front door, but a second squad car spotted the male suspect. Officer Vasquez-Lasso, from the second squad, gave chase. The suspect suddenly turned and fired “at close range,” hitting 32-year-old Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, multiple times. The police officer fired back, hitting the suspect in the head.
Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, 32, did not survive and had been in the Chicago Police Department for five years. They took the suspect to the hospital; the last reports listed him in critical condition.
“They were there to protect this victim,” Police Superintendent David Brown said. “They were willing to put their lives on the line to protect this victim.”
Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas released a statement that said, “This is a tragic reminder of what our police officers do each and every day, laying their lives on the line for us.”
Listening to the officer’s emotions in the audio is tough. The first recording is the initial radio call, and I want to warn you that this isn’t easy to hear.
Mixed feelings about the recordings being put out there. Hopefully, this will show how devastating this is. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Officer Vasquez-Lasso family, friends, and @Chicago_Police
Warning:This is the horrific initial radio call for help#ChicagoScanner pic.twitter.com/Hlm4Eedj7W
— LetsTalkDefensiveGunUse (@LetsTalkDGU) March 2, 2023
This is the recording of the radio traffic immediately after the shooting from crimesdown.com.
Listening to the radio traffic is heartbreaking. Warning: the audio is live and disturbing. People do not realize what the #Police go through until they hear something like this.#ChicagoScanner @Chicago_Police pic.twitter.com/wPedL1eWr4
— LetsTalkDefensiveGunUse (@LetsTalkDGU) March 2, 2023
The state of Illinois has been hell-bent on enacting new gun laws in the past few weeks, but my question is, why don’t they enforce what’s on the books? These new laws are all designed to keep law-abiding citizens from buying guns and include restrictions like buying parts. A recent proposal forbids buying ammunition from any place but a local FFL.
According to CWBChicago, Chicago police arrested the suspect, 18, in January of last year on charges of aggravated battery by firing a gun, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and criminal trespass to a vehicle. According to the arrest report, Cook County prosecutors declined to file any of those counts, instead charging his with misdemeanor obstructing/resisting a police officer.
Let’s see…..
If @SAKimFoxx would’ve just done her job, Officer Lasso would still be alive.
@MorningAnswer @DanProft https://t.co/nPkMQC4jHs— Amy Jacobson (@AmyJacobson) March 2, 2023
CBS reported that Maria Dabila watched it happen from her window “I see one police on the floor,” Dabila said.
“I want to help the police, but how?” She heard Montano fight with officers. “He don’t get scared or nothing,” she said. “He don’t get – he don’t have any feelings.”
This is a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn into a tragic event that will forever change many people’s lives. My heart goes out to the officer’s family, his partner, and all Chicago Police officers mourning this devastating loss.
Officer Andre Vasquez-Lasso exemplified honor and courage when he was fatally shot responding to a person with a gun call.
Last night, we honored his heroism as we escorted him to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
End of Watch: March 1, 2023. pic.twitter.com/HFmecjDYXE
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) March 2, 2023
