Freeport man charged in connection with shooting of Chicago police officer

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — A Freeport man is charged in connection with the death of Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera.

Rivera was killed last Thursday during the pursuit of Adrian Rucker, 25.

According to Chicago Police, officers were called to East 82nd Street and South Drexel Avenue for reports of a man with a rifle.

When they arrived, Rucker ran into an apartment building and was pursued. Inside, police said Rucker confronted officers with a rifle.

One of the pursuing officers fired a shot, which struck Rivera in the back.

As officers were attempting to take her to a local hospital, the car crashed and caught fire, and another squad car was called to transport Rivera. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police said they recovered three handguns at the scene, including two AR-style pistols, along with heroin and crack cocaine. Rucker was arrested two blocks away.

Authorities said there were six warrants in multiple counties for Rucker’s arrest. He faces charges of armed violence, possession of a firearm without a Firearm Owners Identification, possession of a fraudulent ID card, possession of a controlled substance, and six arrest warrants.

He was denied pretrial release and held in custody at the Cook County Jail.