Stories by Matt Masterson

A still image from police body camera footage of the shooting of Isidro Valverde on Feb. 8, 2023. (COPA)

COPA Publishes Body Camera Video From Officers Involved in Fatal Irving Park Shooting

Body camera footage of the fatal police shooting of a man in Irving Park last month appears to show he was attempting to get up off the ground and run away when he was killed.

U.S. Attorney John Lausch appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Dec. 8, 2022. (WTTW News)

U.S. Attorney John Lausch to Leave Office March 11 After Tenure Marked by Indictments of High-Profile Politicians

John Lausch, who has served as U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Illinois since 2017, is planning to leave the office in “early 2023,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced during an unrelated press conference Thursday.

Police Superintendent David Brown addresses the media after officers shot and killed a man outside an Irving Park bar on Feb. 8, 2023. (WTTW News)

Chicago’s Top Cop David Brown to Resign From Department March 16

Mayor Lori Lightfoot — who nominated Brown for the position in 2020 and will be leaving office herself after failing to make April’s mayoral runoff election — announced Brown will be leaving the department effective March 16.

(WTTW News)

Number of Shootings, Homicides Across Chicago Down So Far in 2023 Compared to Last Year: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data published Wednesday, the city has recorded 79 homicides through the end of February — a total that is down 14% compared to the same point last year but 13% over 2021.

A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

Armored Car Guard Shot During Attempted Robbery in Chatham: Police

An armored car guard is in good condition after being shot in his bulletproof vest during an attempted robbery in Chatham Tuesday afternoon, according to Chicago police.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

16-Year-Old Boy Among 3 Killed in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 14 people were shot in 12 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Man Charged With Hate Crime Allegedly Defaced CTA Sign

​​Ryan Slaski, 36, will be held on a $10,000 D-bond following his arrest Thursday on the hate crime charge, as well as additional counts of criminal damage to property and possession of a controlled substance.

In this Sept. 17, 2019, file photo, R. Kelly appears during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool, File)

R. Kelly Sentenced to 1 Additional Year in Prison, 19 Concurrent Years, Following Child Pornography and Enticement Convictions

‘I will never get back what he took from me’: Kelly's victim tells court

Federal prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber to sentence Kelly to 25 years in prison to account for the “indescribable harm” he caused his victims, including his then-underaged goddaughter “Jane.”

Students at Chicago Public Schools walk along a hallway in this file photo. (WTTW News)

CPS Unveils $76M Plan to Upgrade, Expand Security Cameras at Schools

Chicago Public Schools is planning to spend $76 million to expand and upgrade the number of security cameras both inside and outside of district-run schools across the city — a move it says will improve the safety of students and staff.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Board of Education Approves New CPS Calendar for 2023-24

The Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously approved the calendar for the 2023-24 school year after receiving more than 2,500 comments from the public and education stakeholders last month.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Ride-Hailing Driver Among 5 People Killed Over Holiday Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 16 people were shot in 15 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday.

A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

Chicago Babysitter Charged With Murder After Death of 4-Month-Old Girl in Her Care

Norma Chagnama, 29, was held without bail Monday following her arrest on a single count of felony murder in the death of Zury Cruz Sumba, who allegedly suffered brain and spinal injuries while in Chagnama’s care last week.

R. Kelly appears for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Friday, March 22, 2019 in Chicago. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

Federal Prosecutors in Chicago Seeking 25-Year Prison Sentence for R. Kelly

“Plain and simple, Kelly does not comprehend that what he did was wrong," federal prosecutors said in a sentencing memo this week.

(WTTW News)

4 Northwestern University Employees Injured by Falling Tree

According to a statement from the Evanston Police Department, three of the four people struck were hospitalized with “serious injuries,” while a fourth was treated at the scene. Northwestern confirmed all four people are university employees.

FBI investigators examine the scene in downtown Highland Park on July 5, 2022, a day after a mass shooting occurred at the Fourth of July parade. (WTTW News)

Father of Man Charged in Highland Park Parade Shooting Pleads Not Guilty to Reckless Conduct Charges

Robert Crimo, Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of felony reckless conduct during a brief hearing Thursday, one day after a Lake County grand jury indicted him on those charges.

In this Sept. 17, 2019, file photo, R. Kelly appears during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool, File)

Judge Rejects R. Kelly’s Request For New Trial a Week Ahead of Federal Sentencing

A federal judge has denied R. Kelly’s request for a new trial, just a week before he is set to be sentenced on child pornography charges following his conviction in Chicago last year.

(WTTW News)

COPA ‘Unclear’ if Man Fired Shots At Police Before Being Killed by Officers in Irving Park Shooting

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Thursday said it is “unclear, nor has it been determined” by the office whether the man discharged his firearm at two officers before being fatally shot by police.

(WTTW News)

Man Tied to ‘Romance Scam’ Fraud Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

A U.S. district judge in Chicago on Wednesday sentenced Olaniyi Nasiru Ojikutu, 39, to 88 months in prison after he pleaded guilty last year to a count of wire fraud. He and nine others were charged as part of “Operation Gold Phish” — an investigation into cyber scams that primarily targeted elderly victims.

Dakotah Earley, who was shot twice in the back and once in the back of the head during a robbery attempt in the early morning hours of May 6, has been moved out of the ICU, according to a tweet from his mother, Joy Dobbs. (WTTW News)

Shooting Victim Dakotah Earley Suing Lightfoot, City Over CPD Vehicle Pursuit Policy

The lawsuit comes nine months after Tyshon Brownlee allegedly robbed and shot 24-year-old Dakotah Earley, who was walking in the 1300 block of West Webster Avenue in the early morning hours of May 6.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Man Struck, Killed Pedestrian Visiting City While Street Racing Last Year: Prosecutors

Aaron Guerrero, 27, was charged Wednesday with reckless homicide and aggravated street racing, months after he allegedly struck and killed 40-year-old Shawman Meireis, a Florida woman visiting Chicago last August.

Police Superintendent David Brown addresses the media after officers shot and killed a man outside an Irving Park bar on Feb. 8, 2023. (WTTW News)

Chicago Police Fatally Shoot Man After Confrontation Outside Irving Park Bar

Police Superintendent David Brown said the shooting occurred just after 3 a.m. in the 3700 block of North Troy Street. The man who was killed has not yet been identified.

UIC United Faculty members picket during their ongoing strike on Jan. 17, 2023. (WTTW News)

UIC Faculty Vote to Ratify New Contract Agreement

The UIC United Faculty on Tuesday announced its members had voted in favor of the new deal, which applies to all 1,500 members of the tenure and non-tenure bargaining units.

(WTTW News)

16-Year-Old Boy Among 3 People Killed Over Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 20 people were shot in 18 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Man Charged in Attack of CTA Worker at Downtown Blue Line Station

James Jackson, 55, appeared in court Friday on charges of aggravated battery of a transit employee and aggravated battery of a victim over 60 years old after he allegedly struck a CTA worker at the Washington Blue Line station.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Woman Concealed Mother's Body in Freezer for Nearly 2 Years, Prosecutors Say

Eva Bratcher allegedly bought a freezer a week after her elderly mother died and used it to conceal her body for nearly two years before it was discovered by police at their Northwest Side home earlier this week.

A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

Ex-Chicago Police Officer Allegedly Lied Repeatedly to Dodge Numerous Traffic Citations

Jeffrey Kriv, 56, has been charged with four felony counts of perjury and five felony counts of forgery, according to the Chicago Office of Inspector General.