Crime & Law

Body Camera Footage From Fatal Shooting of CPD Officer Ella French Released

Body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of Chicago police Officer Ella French was released Wednesday, nearly five years after she was killed during a traffic stop in the Englewood neighborhood.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability published the videos Wednesday as part of a Freedom of Information Act request.

A court order stemming from the criminal cases filed against the convicted shooter, Emonte Morgan, and his brother Eric had prevented the release of that footage, but with those cases concluded, that order is no longer in effect.

COPA Chief Administrator LaKenya White said her agency was now publishing the video “in keeping with our commitment to transparency and public accountability.”

“As we do so, it is important to remember that this video captures a profoundly tragic event,” White said in a statement. “Our thoughts remain with Officer Ella French and Officer Carlos Yanez Jr., their loved ones, colleagues, and all those whose lives were forever changed by this incident.”

The footage was previously shown to jurors who later convicted Emonte Morgan on first-degree murder charges during his 2024 trial, but had remained out of public viewing until Wednesday.

The videos show the shooting from the perspective of French and her partner, Carlos Yanez Jr., as well as the immediate aftermath captured by another officer on scene, Joshua Blas.

The officers were driving on patrol just after 9 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2021, when they pulled over an SUV with expired license plates allegedly driven by Eric Morgan near 63rd Street and Bell Avenue.

According to Cook County prosecutors at Emonte Morgan’s trial, French walked to the driver’s side of the vehicle and took the car keys from Eric Morgan, who allegedly admitted that he had marijuana on him. He was ordered to get out of the car.

The other officers ordered Emonte Morgan to get out of the car, and he exited with an open drink and a cellphone in hand, prosecutors said. He allegedly refused to set those items down, and soon began struggling with the officers.

As this happened, Eric Morgan tried to run and was chased by Blas, according to prosecutors, while Yanez continued struggling with Emonte Morgan at the back of the SUV.

Those two moved toward the open front passenger door, with Yanez yelling at Emonte Morgan to show his hands, prosecutors said. As French came over to assist, Emonte Morgan fired multiple shots, striking both French and Yanez in the head.

French’s body-worn camera footage showed her beginning to pat down Eric Morgan before he took off running, followed by Blas. Yanez was struggling with Emonte Morgan in the front passenger seat of the vehicle as French came around the back of the vehicle. Shots are then heard. French yelled and then collapsed to the ground.

Blas’ footage showed him take off after Eric Morgan as he attempted to run from the vehicles, telling him to “get on the f--king ground.” Eric Morgan went to the ground and as Blas began to handcuff him, he yelled out “Oh, s--t” and began running back toward the vehicles, radioing in a “10-1” that shots had been fired.

As he returned to the vehicle, Blas can be seen firing shots at Emonte Morgan before Morgan fled on foot. Blas can be heard yelling “officer down!” and calling out to French, who was laying on the ground near Yanez unresponsive.

Footage from Yanez’s camera showed the struggle up close as he attempted to restrain Emonte Morgan after he refused to put down his phone or a cup he was holding. Yanez then fell to the ground and what appeared to be blood could be seen on his camera’s lens as he was heard struggling to breathe.

As Yanez laid on the ground, Blas can be heard returning before additional shots were fired.

Emonte Morgan has since been sentenced to life in prison. Eric Morgan accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

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