Romanucci & Blandin Announces Civil Lawsuit for March 9th Chicago Police Shooting Death of Derek Jordan

Defendant Officer failed to de-escalate and fired deadly shots 20 seconds after arriving at a controlled scene

CHICAGO (August 10, 2026) – When Chicago Police Officer Max Walzer arrived to where Derek Jordan was inside a car that was blocked in by several police vehicles, the scene was controlled. Officer Walzer was not. He was enraged and almost immediately told Derek he was going to kill him. Other officers were on-site working to de-escalate the situation. Walzer arrived at the scene with his gun drawn and immediately shouted multiple verbal threats to kill Derek, ignoring any opportunity to calm the scene. Less than 20 seconds later, Derek was dead; Walzer carried through on his promise to kill Derek. The incident took place on March 9, 2026, in the Humboldt Park neighborhood at approximately 5:30 pm that evening.

This case cannot be understood in a vacuum. It arises against the backdrop of the Chicago Police Department’s decades-long, extensively documented pattern of racially discriminatory policing and excessive force directed at Black men — a pattern that spans the entirety of Derek Jordan’s life and that shaped, in real and foreseeable ways, how he and other Black men who came of age on Chicago’s West Side understand and respond to encounters with police.

The lawsuit was filed August 6, 2026, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division. Defendants include the City of Chicago and Max W. Walzer, individually and as an agent of the City of Chicago. The Plaintiff is Christine Thompkins, as special administrator of the Estate of Derek Jordan. Christine is Derek’s mother. The complaint seeks a jury trial.

Counts in the lawsuit include:

• Willful and Wanton – Respondeat Superior, City of Chicago
• Willful and Wanton – Max W. Walzer

Case Background

On March 9, 2026, Derek Jordan was operating a vehicle that was stopped at a curb on the west side of Homan Avenue just north of its intersection with Chicago Avenue. At that time and location, an unmarked CPD squad vehicle driven by two plainclothes officers was traveling southbound on Homan Avenue when it suddenly crossed the center line, drove into oncoming traffic and the officers in street clothes quickly exited their vehicle, attempting to ambush Derek.

In response to the sudden presence of armed individuals in street clothes quickly approaching, Derek reversed the vehicle and drove away, traveling about a block-and-a-half, then into an alley where a CTA bus on Homan blocked the alley. 

The unmarked squad car then approached and pinned Derek’s car between the squad car and the bus. The officers approached on foot, yelling commands to exit the vehicle. Other CPD units quickly arrived at the scene and further blocked in Derek’s car. One of the squad units that arrived at the scene was operated by Defendant Walzer, who approached northbound on Homan according to his body worn camera at approximately 17:41:00 PM. At that time, there were several officers in street clothes and uniforms that were surrounding Derek and shouting orders to Derek to exit the vehicle in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

When Walzer exited his vehicle, Derek’s inability to travel anywhere was clear, and the circumstance required de-escalation. However, Walzer quickly approached Derek’s vehicle on foot with his gun drawn. It was also visible that the sunroof of Derek’s car was open and tilted up, so he could hear what was being said outside the car. According to body-cam footage, two seconds after arriving at the scene, Walzer approached and positioned himself directly next to the vehicle, frantically screaming, “GET OUT OF THE F------ CAR! I WILL F------ SHOOT YOU!” Walzer knew or should have known that Derek would hear him and be fearful for his life, escalating the situation.

Three seconds later, Walzer screamed. “GET OUT! seven times and “I WILL KILL YOU!” These statements further escalated the situation. Derek turned the wheels of the car away from Walzer. At no time did Derek brandish a weapon. Eleven seconds later, Walzer screams again, “I WILL KILL YOU.”

At 17:40:20, just twenty seconds after arriving on the scene, Walzer fired six consecutive shots from his service weapon through the passenger window and into the vehicle, striking and killing Derek.

At no time prior to discharging his service weapon did Walzer attempt to de-escalate the situation to avoid the need for deadly force. At all times while at the scene and prior to discharging his weapon, Walzer was in a reckless and uncontrolled state of mind that placed all of those at the scene, including Derek, in danger.

Four days after the deadly shooting, the officer who fired his weapon at Jordan was relieved of his police powers. It’s unclear if that decision was because of the Derek Jordan killing or something else. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is said to have an open investigation into Jordan’s death.

The family of Derek Jordan is represented by Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci, Partner John R. Gorey and Senior Attorney Maura D. White of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC. Ankin Law also represents the client in this case. The team represents Derek’s parents.

“Twenty seconds. Just twenty seconds from when Officer Walzer arrived on the scene to when he fired deadly shots. What’s important is that Derek was inside a vehicle, that vehicle was blocked in and couldn’t leave the scene, and other officers who arrived before Walzer appeared to be in a de-escalation mode. Walzer came in, predisposed to deadly force, stating multiple times with intensity and profanity that he was going to kill Derek. And he made good on those threats, in only twenty seconds,” said Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner of Romanucci & Blandin.

“This lawsuit, filed for the death of Derek Jordan, continues a devastating, decades-long pattern of deadly force used disproportionately on men of color in Chicago. This documented behavior by Chicago Police has created extreme distrust and fear across our communities, and we need to reckon with it as a City. We are seeking justice for Derek, but also meaningful systemic change so this stops happening,” said Maura D. White, Senior Attorney of Romanucci & Blandin.

“I have two children and he was my baby. Derek had a family; he was loved. He loved his birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas most of all. His birthday this Summer deeply hurt me, and I can’t imagine the holidays coming up without him. He was only 43 and had a lot of life to live. I am not sleeping, I am not eating, and my family is devastated. Derek is my child, and he didn’t deserve to die the way he died. I am sure my son was scared. But the officer did what he said he was going to do, and killed him. God does not like this. I can promise you, I am not going to back down. I will get justice for Derek. I just want justice to be done,” said Christine Thompkins, Derek Jordan’s mother.

“I have a hole in my heart. I miss my son and his dying this way has ruined every day for me. The person who shot and killed my son, shot and killed me also... I just haven’t laid down yet. I wonder about the person who killed him, does he have a son? Derek was my only son. Even Stevie Wonder can see we have a serious problem with police killing Black men. Something has to change. If the justice system really is all it is supposed to be, we are all counting on it now to get justice for Derek. We won’t rest until it does,” said Derek Thompkins, Derek Jordan’s father.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Romanucci & Blandin for a confidential conversation at 312-458-1000 or intakes@rblaw.net.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For nearly 30 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.

About Ankin Law

Ankin Law combines all aspects of injury law to maximize its clients’ recovery. They are equipped to handle a wide variety of personal injury cases, including claims against multiple defendants in motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, and mass tort law cases. They believe that remaining connected to the community, advocating for justice, and educating the public are essential elements of their commitment as attorneys. For more information about Ankin Law, please visit www.ankinlaw.com or call (312) 600-0000.