Two Chicago brothers are behind bars after police say they were involved in the fatal shooting of Chicago police officer, Ella French.
Emonte Morgan, 21, and his older brother, Eric Morgan, 22, were allegedly in a car with an expired license tag when French pulled them over in the 6300 block of South Bell Avenue, on the southwest side of the city. Fox 8 reports that Emonte Morgan fired shots at French, which ultimately killed her and left her fellow officer in critical condition.
Police said an additional passenger was in the car with the suspects, identified only as a female who hasn’t been charged due to insufficient evidence.
“There’s one reason that this happened. One reason. These two offenders killed Ella French and tried to kill [the second and third officer] there,” Chicago Police Dept. Superintendent David Brown said. “I won’t entertain finger-pointing at anyone or anything else. They need to be fully held accountable for her murder.”
Police Officer Ella French
End of Watch: August 7, 2021We will #NeverForget the true bravery she exemplified as she laid her life down to protect others.
Please hold her family, loved ones and fellow Chicago Police officers in your thoughts as we grieve the loss of this hero. pic.twitter.com/kEUlNTv0Z4
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 8, 2021
According to CBS News, French’s death was the first deadly shooting of a Chicago police officer in the line of duty since 2018. It also marks the first time a female officer has been shot and killed in over 30 years.
Court documents indicate that both brothers were on probation at the time of the incident, according to MailOnline. Emonte Morgan previously pleaded guilty to robbery while Eric Morgan reportedly pleaded guilty to theft in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Jamal Danzy, 29, is accused of supplying the gun used during the attack. Police said Danzy legally purchased the weapon in Indiana but handed it off to someone in Illinois who wasn’t legally allowed to have a gun. Prosecutors said Danzy knew the person wasn’t allowed to possess the gun.
Although police didn’t name the suspect with Danzy’s gun, they said it was someone inside the car that French pulled over at the traffic light, the Chicago Tribune reports. Danzy is now facing conspiracy to violate federal firearm laws and related charges.
Emonte Morgan is charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer, attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. His brother is facing aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and obstruction of justice charges.
The suspects are scheduled to appear at a Cook County bond hearing on Tuesday. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Ella French/Handout]
