In the early morning hours of March 29, 13 year old Adam Toledo was fatally shot by a Chicago police officer in Little Village. The police officer has now been identified as Eric Stillman.
More than two weeks after Toledo was killed, authorities have released body-cam footage in which Officer Stillman is seen running after Toledo in an alley and fatally shooting him moments later. Officer Stillman had been responding to a call of shots fired.
There has been much conversation revolving around the incident and whether or not this is another case of police brutality. There are those who stand firm in their belief that Officer Stillman was in his right to use deadly force, those who want justice for Toledo and are sickened that a young 13 year old lost his life unnecessarily, and those like me that are stuck somewhere in the middle.
The body-cam footage of the incident has been circling around the internet for all to see. While it is extremely difficult to watch the video, I believe it is necessary for all to see, in order to form your own opinion on the situation. It is especially crucial to watch the video slowed down, so that you are able to watch it frame by frame.
Usually I am the type of person that can immediately form my opinion on a matter, but this is not the case this time. After watching the video and reading multiple news articles, I am left shocked, disheartened and confused on where I stand.
I believe that police officers definitely need more training and need to be taught how to better handle difficult situations when under pressure. However, I personally believe that Officer Stillman did the best he could in that situation.
I have seen that many people are enraged with Officer Stillman for fatally shooting Toledo, but I think it is important to view the whole incident from a neutral viewpoint. After shooting Toledo, Officer Stillman immediately asked for medical assistance and did all he could to save Toledo’s life.
This can clearly be seen and heard in the video. It is not like Officer Stillman shot Toledo and left him helpless to die.
I have also heard many argue that Toledo should not have been out on the streets that late and that his parents should have known where he was and what he was doing. To this I have to say that a lot of the kids that live in Little Village are not given the proper resources to succeed in life.
This unfortunately leads to many children getting involved in dangerous activities. I also must say that despite whatever you think, it is still incredibly heartbreaking that a 13 year old lost his life so tragically.
Regardless of whether you believe it was another case of police brutality or if it was genuinely an unfortunate mistake, I believe that some of the money that is given to the Chicago Police Department should instead be spent on useful resources for children living in lower income cities.
One way this can happen is by helping to fund the organization called My Block, My Hood, My City. The mission statement of this organization is to “provide underprivileged youth with an awareness of the world and opportunities beyond their neighborhood.”
I believe this is just one of the many ways that we can help. By working together, we can help provide these children with a better opportunity to succeed in life.