Michael Shelby, a 41-year-old African American man, was fatally shot on June 3, 2020, in Riverdale, Illinois. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound to the head and classified it a homicide. The shooting occurred around 8:24 p.m. in the 600 block of West 144th Street after Riverdale Police Officer David Gutierrez responded to a report of gunfire inside a residence.

Officer Gutierrez found a broken window leading into the home’s basement and heard a verbal altercation between Shelby and a woman identified as SC. After the officer announced his presence, a single gunshot was heard and SC screamed that she had been shot. SC, bleeding from her neck, tried to climb out the basement window but was pulled back inside by Shelby. The officer fired two rounds through the window, killing Shelby. A second person, identified as NG, was in the home and was unharmed.

The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force reviewed witness statements, 911 calls, police reports, medical records and forensic evidence and concluded there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against Officer Gutierrez. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office determined the shooting was justified on grounds that the officer acted in defense of SC’s life. No arrests were made and no further suspects were identified.

Did anyone in Riverdale know Michael Shelby or have information about the events that night?