Authorities have charged a 37-year-old Chicago man with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Detective Allan Reddins of the Oak Park Police Department. The tragic incident occurred on Friday morning when Detective Reddins responded to a report of a man leaving a bank with a gun in Oak Park, a suburb just west of Chicago.
The Cook County state's attorney's office charged Jerell Thomas of Chicago with first-degree murder in the killing of Detective Reddins. Thomas also faces charges of attempted murder of a peace officer, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to Oak Park authorities, Thomas allegedly began shooting when approached by Detective Reddins and other officers. During the confrontation, Thomas sustained a leg injury and is currently hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
Investigators revealed that Thomas has a history of criminal activities, including previous arrests for aggravated battery of a police officer, domestic battery, battery, and resisting a police officer.
Detective Reddins, aged 40, tragically became the first Oak Park police officer to be shot in the line of duty since 1938. He had been serving with the department since 2019.
