On August 29, 2015, 29-year-old Rafael Cruz of Chicago was shot and killed by two Chicago Police officers after a sequence that began when officers in an unmarked car observed a passenger in Cruz’s Chevy Tahoe fire at another vehicle. Cruz accelerated away and led the officers on a high-speed pursuit through city streets, striking multiple parked cars before stopping near a parking lot.

Cruz reversed, striking the police car, then made a three-point turn and drove toward the lot exit with headlights on; the officers fired, and Cruz died of a gunshot wound.

Cruz’s mother, Rachel Ybarra, later sued for excessive force and wrongful death. A court concluded the officers acted reasonably, finding the shooting justified by Cruz’s alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting and the perceived threat posed by his reckless driving. No other arrests or charges in this incident are indicated.

If anyone knew Cruz, witnessed the chase, or has additional information about the events that night, please share what is known.