Unveiling the Tragic Shooting of Officer Krystal Rivera: COPA Releases Bodycam Footage and Reports
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) has recently made public the bodycam footage from the tragic shooting of Officer Krystal Rivera, who was accidentally shot by her partner during a pursuit in June of the previous year. COPA shared various materials related to the incident, including response reports and video recordings of the fatal shooting. Rivera, a dedicated officer with four years of service in the Chicago Police Department, lost her life on June 5, 2025, when her partner, Officer Carlos Baker, mistakenly fired a shot that struck her during a chase on the South Side of the city.
The encounter with an armed individual during the pursuit led to the unfortunate incident that claimed Rivera's life. While officials deemed the shooting as accidental, Rivera's family demanded an independent investigation into the matter. Subsequently, Rivera's family members filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both the Chicago Police Department and the officer involved in the shooting. Officer Baker was later stripped of his police powers in August following a separate incident outside a bar in Wicker Park.
The newly released bodycam footage provides a glimpse into the events leading up to the shooting, including the confrontation with the suspect. Following the fatal shot, Officer Baker can be heard reporting "shots fired at police" before taking a pause of approximately two minutes before checking on Rivera.
The footage and audio recordings from this incident may be distressing to some viewers. To access the complete collection of files related to this case, visit COPA's website.