Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera was fatally shot by her partner during a tactical operation Thursday night in the Chatham neighborhood, according to Chicago Police Department officials who confirmed the shooting was unintentional.
The incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. on June 5, 2025, when Rivera and other officers from the 6th District Tactical Team attempted to conduct an investigatory stop on a suspected armed individual in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue. Police officials indicated that the suspect, Adrian Rucker, 25, fled on foot into a nearby apartment building, prompting officers to pursue him inside.
Once inside the building, Rivera and her partner encountered Rucker, who was armed with a rifle and pointed the weapon at the officers. During the confrontation that followed, Rivera’s partner discharged his weapon, with the gunfire unintentionally striking the 36-year-old officer in the back. Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed that only one weapon was fired during the incident – that of the Chicago police officer.
Rivera was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in a squad car, but complications arose during transport when the vehicle crashed and caught fire due to what Snelling described as some type of malfunction. Assisting officers transferred Rivera to another vehicle to complete the journey to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 10:19 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The four-year police veteran left behind a 10-year-old daughter, Bella Medina, who told reporters that her mother had hugged her tighter than usual when leaving for work Thursday. Snelling described Rivera as “young, vibrant, and a hard worker” who had confiscated and processed two guns earlier that same day.
Rivera’s family members indicated that she had been excited to celebrate her daughter’s 11th birthday party, which was scheduled for the weekend following the shooting. Her sister, Jacqueline Rivera, told reporters that Bella was Krystal’s life and described the fallen officer as witty and funny, someone who approached her police work with care, sensitivity and justice in mind.
Pastor Daniel Cruz of Faithworld Church, where Rivera had been a member for nearly 20 years, recalled her dedication to her faith and her desire for her daughter to grow in that same faith. Cruz indicated that Rivera had shared during a recent service how important it was for her daughter to know their religious beliefs.
The suspect remains in police custody, and authorities recovered three firearms from the scene. Rucker was charged with armed violence, having a firearm without a valid FOID card, possession of fraudulent identification, and drug possession. A second Chicago police officer sustained a wrist injury during the incident and was hospitalized in fair condition. Police officials noted that several individuals were initially taken into custody, though the exact number currently detained remains under investigation.
Snelling addressed the emotional toll on Rivera’s partner, acknowledging that the officer responsible for the fatal shot is experiencing tremendous difficulty. The superintendent urged the public not to rush to judgment about the circumstances, emphasizing that officers sometimes see things that others do not know at the time and that assumptions should not be made until all facts are gathered.
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation released a statement describing Rivera as a hard-working, tough officer who led by example and served as a mentor to younger officers. The foundation indicated that Rivera represented everything the department wants its officers to be: smart, assertive, tough, compassionate and professional.
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Snelling at an overnight press conference, calling on the entire city to keep Rivera’s family and the police department in their prayers. Johnson emphasized Rivera’s honorable and courageous service, noting her young, energetic and bold approach toward keeping the city safe.
According to law enforcement statistics, friendly fire incidents resulting in officer deaths are relatively rare. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reported that from 2020 to 2024, only eight of 273 firearms-related officer deaths were categorized as inadvertent or accidental shootings, representing less than three percent of such incidents.
Rivera becomes the fifth Chicago police officer shot and killed since 2023, following the deaths of Officers Enrique Martinez, Luis Huesca, Aréanah Preston and Andres Vasquez Lasso. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability has been notified of the shooting, and the department’s Investigative Response Team is handling the ongoing investigation into the circumstances that led to the initial stop and subsequent confrontation.
Police officials indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that the department is reviewing its practices, including training and supervision protocols. However, Snelling noted it is too early to determine if any policy changes will result from this incident until all information has been gathered and thoroughly analyzed.
