CHICAGO (AP) – An arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect in the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca. Xavier Tate Jr., 22, is sought in connection with the incident, with charges of first-degree murder approved by a judge on Friday. The suspect remains at large as Chicago Police released a community alert late Friday night.
Surveillance footage preceding the shooting captured Tate in a convenience store just before 10 p.m. on the night of the incident. The video shows him making a purchase and leaving. A subsequent clip reveals the same individual in a different outfit buying a water bottle at a separate convenience store.
The warrant alleges Tate knowingly fired a .40-caliber handgun, resulting in the death of Officer Huesca. Authorities responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the area where Huesca was found with gunshot wounds. The officer, 30, was off-duty but in uniform when he was shot multiple times and later pronounced dead at a medical center.
Speculations about the involvement of a carjacking in Huesca’s death have not been confirmed by the police. Furthermore, investigations led to the possible recovery of the officer’s missing firearm in the Beverly neighborhood.
Officer Huesca’s visitation is scheduled to take place at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn on Sunday, open to the public from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. A church service at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago is planned for Monday morning, where the fallen officer will receive full honors as his death has been deemed a line-of-duty fatality.
Authorities caution that the suspect, Tate, should be considered armed and dangerous. If spotted, individuals are advised not to approach but instead contact 911 immediately. Despite ongoing investigations, Tate’s whereabouts remain unknown as law enforcement continues efforts to locate him.