Chicago cop wounded at traffic stop where Officer Ella French was murdered speaks out for the first time; his father blasts Mayor Lightfoot



The Chicago cop who was shot and wounded at a traffic stop where Officer Ella French was murdered spoke out for the first time this week. Officer Carlos Yanez Jr., 39, thanked all those who supported him after he was shot, while his father slammed Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for not standing up for the police.

On Aug. 7, Officers Yanez and French exchanged gunfire with suspects during a traffic stop. The 29-year-old French was shot and killed; Yanez suffered two gunshot wounds to the head. Yanez "suffered from multiple gunshot wounds to the eye, brain, and shoulder all causing potentially lifelong disability," according to a GoFundMe page that is collecting donations. The crowd-funding campaign had raised over $270,000 as of Friday morning.

The family of Yanez shared a video of the wounded officer from his hospital bed speaking for the first time publicly since the shooting, where he gave thanks and gave a special message to his wife and 3-year-old son.

"Thank you for your support and your donations and your prayers. I love you all," Yanez whispered. "To my son, C.J., and my wife, Brenda, I do this all for you."

CPD Officer speaks from hospital bed, thanking community for their support.As services take place for fallen CPD… https://t.co/BIKgSfLnxg

— Alexis McAdams (@AlexisMcAdamsTV) 1629376310.0

Carlos Yanez Sr., the wounded cop's father, informed the staff of the Chicago hospital on two occasions that his son was "not a fan of Lori Lightfoot, to put it mildly." The family did not want her visiting the floor of the University of Chicago Medical Center where Yanez Jr. was being treated on the night of the shooting.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot still made an appearance, and Yanez Sr. told her that he believes her leadership is putting the lives of police in danger.

"I said that the actions by her administration and her rhetoric of saying how police need to be reconditioned or retrained or whatever was causing them to be in danger. That it was not allowing the officers to take the instinctive action necessary to protect themselves," Yanez Sr. told the Chicago Sun-Times.

"All the officers are told now that, if you draw your weapon and it's not a situation that warrants it, unless you have guaranteed proof, there'll be consequences," said Yanez Sr., who was a Chicago cop for 25 years. "They didn't do that when I was on the job. They let us be the police. There wasn't a day that I didn't draw my weapon, have it behind my leg or behind my thigh. ... It's not about race. It's about survival of the officer. But they don't have that now. They don't have that confidence that someone's gonna back them up."

"When they show up, the bad guys are ready for them. They know they can't draw their weapons. They know they can't be chased. You can't put hands on them without getting sued. Everybody's got a camera and they're always challenging them, provoking them. It's a no-win situation for them," Yanez Sr. continued. "She's tied the hands of the police. She wants 'em to police with one hand behind their back, and you can't fight evil crime, brute force, with one hand tied behind their backs."

Yanez Sr. accused Lightfoot of "using the race card or the violent police card just to get votes and play both sides of the fence."

"She shows up to say remorse for the police officer shot," he said of the Democratic mayor of Chicago. "But what have you done to promote police in the eyes of the public?"

Yanez Sr. said, "Even doctors make mistakes and they're sued. But they're not all washed with the same brush that they're all bad. You don't teach the children to fear the police like they do now. ... She's creating an environment where people are starting to question if the police are good or not."

"It's not pro-police or pro-people. It's about pro-right and wrong, good and evil," the distraught father said of the mayor. "But she demonstrates by her actions that she doesn't really have any consideration for the safety of the officers. They're expendable. They're replaceable. Hire new ones. Train 'em differently. But they're gonna get killed. You can't change survival tactics that are in place for years to protect the officers as well as the citizens to pacify some voters. It's not gonna work."

"Mayor Lightfoot, you're not a police officer. ... The law enforcement you did was prosecution. It's a totally different arena," the former Chicago cop stated. "We catch the lions and the evil monsters for you in a cage. Then you prosecute them."

He added, "Let the people hunting down evil and catching the monsters — let them do it the way they have to do it to catch 'em, not the way you feel is politically correct."

"Let the police be the police," the father exclaimed.

The mayor's office declined to respond to the Chicago Sun-Times regarding the comments made by the father of the wounded police officer.

Yanez Sr. was one of the thousands who attended a vigil to pay their respects to French on Tuesday night.

French's brother, Andrew French, remembered his sister tried to make a difference by being a police officer.

"She loved hard and she loved this city. She loved everything about it except for the nasty parts that we all know. And she made a point of becoming a police officer to try and change those things," Andrew French said of his sister, who joined the Chicago Police Department in 2018.

Yanez Sr. also attended French's funeral on Thursday and was joined by CPD Officer Joshua Blas, who shot one of the suspects at the fatal traffic stop.

Two brothers have been charged in connection with the lethal shooting. Emonte Morgan, 21, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons charges. Eric Morgan, 22, faces weapons charges as well as one count of obstruction of justice.

At the time of the shooting, both brothers were on probation for separate cases. Emonte Morgan pleaded guilty to robbery in Cook County court last year, and Eric Morgan pleaded guilty to theft in Dane County, Wisconsin, records show.

Fallen Officer Ella French's Brother, Wounded Officer Carlos Yanez's Father Speak At Vigil www.youtube.com

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Brothers ages 21, 22 charged in murder of 29-year-old Chicago Police Officer Ella French



Authorities arrested two brothers in the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer Ella French during a Saturday traffic stop.

Emonte Morgan, 21, and brother Eric Morgan, 22, appeared in court on Tuesday in connection with the 29-year-old officer's murder.

What's a brief history on this?

French and her partner were conducting a traffic stop around 9 p.m. in Chicago's West Englewood neighborhood when at least one of the suspects in the vehicle began firing on the officers.

French was killed, and her partner, who remains unnamed at the time of this reporting, was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

French had served the city on the force since April 2018.

In a statement on the killing, Chicago Police Department Superintendent David Brown said, "They come to work willing to run toward danger, toward gunfire. And they're willing to sacrifice their lives to save the lives of perfect strangers.

"They went to work today after last night's tragic, tragic events," Brown continued. "Others are at work now, right now, continuing this brave, courageous work of protecting the people of Chicago."

What are the details?

On Tuesday, WGN-TV reported that Emonte is charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer, two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

Eric, who was reportedly driving the vehicle, will appear before a judge later Tuesday and faces charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and obstruction of justice.

WGN reported, according to police, that the officers had stopped the vehicle with the Morgan brothers over expired plates. The brothers opened fire at the officers, police said.

The station reported that prosecutors say body camera footage from Saturday night "shows Emonte Morgan holding a gun as he steps over French and her partner."

French and her partner, the station added, still had their guns in their holsters when they were fired upon.

Emonte was previously charged with minor traffic offenses as well as battery and theft.

Brothers charged in fatal shooting of Chicago police officer Ella Frenchwww.youtube.com

Chicago police officers send powerful message to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who blamed guns after officer murdered



Chicago police officers delivered a powerful message to Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) late Saturday after she entered the hospital where two of their comrades were transported upon being shot in the line of duty.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, more than a dozen Chicago Police Department rank-and-file officers turned their backs on Lightfoot when she approached them around midnight Saturday as they waited on the seventh floor of the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Message sent to Mayor Lightfoot. https://t.co/NnsZXuAnEm

— Chris Field (@ChrisMField) 1628611305.0

Just hours earlier, two fellow officers were attacked during a traffic stop in Chicago's violent South Side neighborhood of West Englewood. One officer, Ella French, died of her injuries; the other officer was left fighting for his life.

The Sun-Times, relying on sources who witnessed the incident, relayed what took place on the hospital floor.

Just moments before more than a dozen officers turned their backs on the mayor, Lightfoot tried to talk to the male officer's father, who himself is a retired Chicago police officer. He clearly wanted nothing to do with Lightfoot, according to two sources who were there.The father excoriated the mayor and blamed her for what had happened. One source said Lightfoot handled herself well as the father yelled at her. She listened and treated him with respect.

It was then suggested that Lightfoot say a few words to nearby grieving officers, but as she approached, "they did the about-face — it looked like it had been choreographed," said one of the sources present, calling it "astounding."

John Catanzara, president of the Chicago police officers' union, explained the "about-face" demonstrated how officers feel about Lightfoot.

"Turning their backs on the mayor was an excellent example of how the hundreds of police officers felt waiting outside the hospital," Catanzara told the Sun-Times. "They have had enough and are no longer going to remain silent anymore."

How did Lightfoot respond?

Growing animosity toward Lightfoot among the Windy City's police force is related to her narrative about the city's violence, which has focused on guns as the source of the problem.

Lightfoot, in fact, pushed that same narrative in the wake of Saturday's tragedy.

"Some say we don't do enough for the police. Others say we do too much. All of this must stop. We have a common enemy: it's guns & the violence they bring," Lightfoot said Sunday.

In response to police officers turning their backs on the mayor, Lightfoot's office released a statement Monday afternoon that condemned "divisive and toxic rhetoric," while again emphasizing "illegal guns" as the core problem driving violence in Chicago.

The full statement, via WMAQ-TV, is provided below:

This is an extremely difficult and heartbreaking time for the Chicago Police Department, and for our entire city. The Mayor was present at the emergency room to offer support and condolences to the families involved and the hundreds of line officers and exempts who were there, which she did. In a time of tragedy, emotions run high and that is to be expected.

The Mayor spoke to a range of officers that tragic night and sensed the overwhelming sentiment was about concern for their fallen colleagues. As the Mayor stated yesterday, now is not the time for divisive and toxic rhetoric or reporting.

This is a time for us to come together as a city. We have a common enemy and it is the conditions that breed the violence and the manifestations of violence, namely illegal guns, and gangs. The Mayor is focused on healing the wounds and will reject any and all that try to use this moment to drive further divisions in our city.

The Mayor remains committed to continuing supports for our dedicated and heroic police officers who risk their lives every day to keep all our neighborhoods safe from senseless violence. As the Mayor stated yesterday morning, we must come together as a city and wrap our arms around all those who knew and loved Officer French and pray for the health and recovery of her partner who continues to fight for his life today.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot blames guns — not shooter — for tragic death of female police officer



Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot used the heartbreaking death of a Chicago police officer to advance her narrative that guns are one of the Windy City's biggest problems.

What is the background?

Police officer Ella French, 29, was tragically gunned down Saturday night, the first female police officer to be murdered in Chicago in more than 30 years.

French and her partner had pulled over a vehicle in Chicago's violent West Englewood neighborhood when police said at least two of the three vehicle occupants opened fire on the officers. Both officers were struck; French died from her injuries, while her partner was left fighting for his life.

Police Officer Ella FrenchEnd of Watch: August 7, 2021 We will #NeverForget the true bravery she exemplified as… https://t.co/9srpLgYsn0

— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) 1628457708.0

Police arrested all three vehicle occupants and said they recovered a firearm. The identities of the suspects were not released.

What did Lightfoot say?

After declaring Sunday a "day of mourning" for Chicago and offering her condolences to French family, Lightfoot turned to politics.

"Some say we don't do enough for the police. Others say we do too much," she began. "All of this must stop."

"We have a common enemy: it's guns & the violence they bring," she added.

Some say we don't do enough for the police. Others say we do too much. All of this must stop.

We have a common enemy: it's guns & the violence they bring.
— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) August 8, 2021

In a statement, Lightfoot said:

There are some who say that we do not do enough for the police and that we are handcuffing them from doing their jobs. There are others who say we do too much for the police, and then we never hold them accountable for what they do, particularly in Black and brown neighborhoods. All of this, I say, stop. Just stop. This constant strife is not what we need in this moment.
...
We have a common enemy. It's the guns and the gangs. Eradicating both is complex. But we cannot let the size of the challenge deter us. We have to continue striking hard blows every day.

Are guns Chicago's problem?

Lightfoot was sharply rebuked for repeating her narrative that guns — not violent criminals who use guns to commit crimes — are the problem plaguing Chicago.

Her narrative — which claims that lax gun laws in surrounding cities and states are to blame for Chicago's violence problem — has been repeatedly challenged by Chicago lawmakers who believe the mayor has not been tough on gangs.

Chicago Alderman Anthony Napolitano (R), for example, has called Lightfoot's narrative "pure nonsense" while highlighting Chicago's biggest problem: gangs.

"We have the strongest and the strictest gun laws in the state, if not the country," Napolitano said on Fox News last month, disputing Lightfoot's narrative.

"We have a people problem here in Chicago. I've been saying this for a long time, we have zero accountability for parents in the city of Chicago," the alderman explained. "Nobody is raising their kids anymore, the gangs are raising them."

Chicago police officer Ella French, 29, murdered during traffic stop only 2 months after giving birth to baby



A 29-year-old Chicago police officer is dead after being shot during a traffic stop. The police officer, Ella French, had just returned to the force following the birth of her child two months ago. Another cop involved in the deadly traffic stop is fighting for his life.

French and her partner conducted a traffic stop in the South Side's West Englewood neighborhood around 9 p.m. on Saturday night, according to the Chicago Tribune. There were three people in the stopped vehicle, and at least one of the suspects fired upon the officers, who returned fire. The two cops and one of the suspects were shot.

The downed officers were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, and the wounded suspect was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center. Ella French was pronounced dead at the hospital, and the other officer was listed in critical condition.

Image source: Facebook/Chicago Police Department

Chicago Fraternal Order of Police revealed the tragic details in a Facebook post that reads, "Late last night 2 of our own were shot. We lost a sister in blue. Officer Ella French was murdered while conducting a traffic stop with her partners. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and co-workers. The 2nd officer is still fighting for his life. Please keep him in your prayers and thoughts."

French had been on the force since April 2018, according to Chicago Police Department Superintendent David Brown. She had just returned from maternity leave after giving birth to a baby daughter two months ago.

Andrew French, the older brother of Ella French, expressed what a person of integrity she was.

"My sister's always been a person of integrity. She's always done the right thing even when no one's looking," he said. "She has some attributes that you don't find in this world anymore."

"God took the wrong kid," Andrew said of his younger sister's death.

Official CPD photo of Ella French, who was murdered last night in Chicago https://t.co/NQHN2LneHz

— Jewish Deplorable (@TrumpJew2) 1628455985.0

Superintendent Brown said of his police officers, "They come to work willing to run toward danger, toward gunfire. And they're willing to sacrifice their lives to save the lives of perfect strangers."

"They went to work today after last night's tragic, tragic events," Brown continued. "Others are at work now, right now, continuing this brave, courageous work of protecting the people of Chicago."

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called for a "day of mourning."

"I am here as mayor to declare an official day of mourning for our city," Lightfoot said. "I also want to address another issue that's been lashing our city for far too long. There are some who say that we do not do enough for the police and that we are handcuffing them from doing their jobs. There are others who say we do too much for the police, and then we never hold them accountable for what they do, particularly in Black and brown neighborhoods. All of this, I say, stop. Just stop. This constant strife is not what we need in this moment."

"We have a common enemy. It's the guns and the gangs," Lightfoot added. "Eradicating both is complex. But we cannot let the size of the challenge deter us. We have to continue striking hard blows every day."

French is the first Chicago police officer to be shot and killed in the line of duty since December 2018. So far in 2021, 38 CPD officers have been shot or shot at, according to The Sun. In 2020, 79 officers were shot at or shot.

All three suspects have been apprehended, but their names have not been released. Brown said, "It seems that neither of the three offenders have extensive [criminal] background."