Chicago, IL — A tragic incident unfolded in Chicago’s East Chatham neighborhood this week, when a routine traffic stop escalated into a deadly encounter, resulting in the death of 26-year-old Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez. Authorities have charged 23-year-old Darion McMillian with multiple felony offenses, including the murder of a police officer.
The confrontation occurred around 8 p.m. Monday, when Officer Martinez and his partner, responding to a vehicle obstructing traffic on the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue, attempted to engage with the occupants. According to Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti, the situation took a fatal turn when McMillian, seated in the back of the car, began reaching for an item on the floor despite officers’ commands.
Ignoring warnings, McMillian retrieved a fully automatic handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device and an extended magazine, opening fire on Officer Martinez. The officer was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. In a shocking development, McMillian also shot the driver of the vehicle he was in, pushed the body out of the car, and attempted to flee the scene.
The chaos continued as McMillian drove the vehicle erratically, striking a parked car and inadvertently dragging Martinez’s partner for a short distance. Ursitti noted that the officer’s firearm discharged once during the ordeal, hitting the ground. Fortunately, this officer survived the ordeal physically unscathed but deeply affected emotionally.
McMillian’s attempt to evade capture led him to a nearby apartment, where he forcibly entered and removed his electronic monitoring bracelet using a knife he found inside. The resident of the apartment was not harmed during this intrusion. Police later apprehended McMillian in the vicinity of South Maryland Avenue. A subsequent investigation revealed that he was a convicted felon under electronic monitoring from Will County.
Charged with several felonies, McMillian’s rap sheet extended just weeks before the incident with a warrant issued for attempting to defraud a drug screening. Police Superintendent Larry Snelling expressed frustration and lamentation over the officer’s death, noting the devastating impact of firearms in the hands of criminals. “Officer Martinez was killed by the violence he worked to stop,” stated Snelling, emphasizing the ongoing risks faced by law enforcement officers.
The city’s response has been one of profound sorrow and respect for the fallen officer, who was nearing three years of service and was engaged to be married. “This exemplifies what our police officers do every single day,” Mayor Brandon Johnson remarked during a news conference, underscoring the sacrifice officers make to maintain public safety.
As the legal process unfolds, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx assured the public of the commitment to justice for Officer Martinez and others fallen in the line of duty. Meanwhile, the Chicago police force, along with the community, continues to reel from the loss and face the ongoing challenges of urban violence.
Officer Martinez’s death adds to the grim tally of Chicago officers lost in recent years, including Luis Huesca, Aréanah Preston, Andrés Vásquez Lasso, and Ella French — all victims of the violence they fought against. McMillian is set for an initial court appearance later this week, as the city mourns yet another hero gone too soon.