An off-duty Chicago motorcycle cop is under investigation after he shot and killed an angry dad after hitting the man’s daughter with his motorcycle.
According to the NY Daily News, the officer “ditched” his motorcycle when he saw Taniyah Middleton run into his path. But the motorcycle slid into the 4-year-old and her 18-year-old cousin John Passley, who had rushed to help her.
Taniyah’s father, Christopher Middleton, ran out of a nearby restaurant to help his daughter. Witnesses told the Chicago Sun-Times that Middleton was “visibly upset” when he saw Taniyah’s bloody face. Witnesses say that when the 34-year-old, eight-year police veteran identified himself as a cop, Middleton punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Taniyah’s cousin John Passley allegedly joined in the attack, kicking the officer on the ground while Middleton continued pummeling him.
“He was about to lose consciousness [due] to people beating him,” Fraternal Order of Police Spokesman Pat Camden told the Chicago Sun-Times.
The officer drew his weapon and fired once hitting Middleton who was pronounced dead at the scene. The 4-year-old witnessed her father’s death. “He fired in defense of his life,” said Camden.
Taniyah spent the night at a hospital where she was treated for contusions and lacerations.
“Chris was a great father,” Middleton’s cousin, Mathis Hoskin, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “He was always helpful, never mad – always happy with a smile on his face.”
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