Romanucci & Blandin Announces Civil Investigation into Shooting Death of Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera by Another Officer

CHICAGO (July 2, 2025) – The death of Officer Krystal Rivera on June 5, 2025, being shot by a fellow officer, is nothing short of a nightmare for her family and loved ones, the Chicago Police Department, and the City of Chicago. With the 36-year-old single mother now laid to rest, what she and her grieving family deserve now is full transparency and a thorough and independent investigation into this horrific tragedy and answers for accountability.

On behalf of our clients, the family of Krystal Rivera, we ask that Chicago Police Superintendent Snelling immediately call for the Illinois State Police to open an independent investigation into Krystal’s death, and direct CPD to release all the unedited body and dash camera footage of the deadly incident. We delivered a letter to the Superintendent on Friday, June 27, 2025, asking for both of these critical steps. Further, we call for the full personnel file on the officer who fired the fatal shots. Transparency will reassure the family and the community that the Department is committed to fully understanding what happened to Officer Rivera in those final moments. As of the time of our press conference today, we have not received any response from CPD.

The Rivera family is represented by Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci and Senior Attorney Maura D. White at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC.

Our legal team is looking right now at what we know, what questions need answers, and what it all means.

Here’s what we know:

• The other officer involved in this incident was hired in December 2021, and his disciplinary record already includes six complaints.  One extremely concerning one came just a few weeks into his probation.  In 2022, reports indicate this officer flashed a gun under his waistband at a woman he had been talking to personally, while she was on a date with another man. There is a CPD record of a domestic violence complaint that was never pursued. There are five other reports of complaints against him in his short tenure with the force.  Domestic Violence or DV is a death sentence for a police officer under the Lautenberg Act – it requires them to surrender their badge and their gun.
• COPA is said to be investigating the June 5th tragedy, but COPA is administrative, and we have no confirmation that they are reviewing this for criminal activity. Nor is it objective for CPD to investigate one of their own.
• We are hearing some of the dispatch audio from June 5th, the call that an officer was shot, and understand from CPD statements that only one shot was fired in the incident - from the other officer’s weapon. We hear this officer calling in saying shots fired at police, but he struggles to describe the suspects they are pursuing. He also struggled to provide the location of this wounded officer to dispatch.
• Officer Rivera died of a gunshot wound to the back that night.
• CPD showed some of the body cam footage to this family just days into their grief, well before the funeral. The family did not have attorneys with them, they are NOT experts in policing and they were left with a million questions.
• On June 27^th, last Friday, our office sent – and Superintendent Snelling’s office received – a personal letter asking directly for him to ask for an independent investigation by the Illinois State Police, for the release of all body cam footage from June 5th, and for the Superintendent to address any and all questions from the media. We have not received a reply.
• In order to ensure a fair and unbiased review of this officer-involved shooting and death, multiple agencies must collaborate.

Here’s the questions that need answers:

• We need to know what happened in that incident on June 5th. We need to see the footage, need to understand where both officers were, where the other people involved were positioned. What was the angle of the shot fired, and what was the timing of events? We need to understand if this officer lacked situational awareness. Release the body cam footage and any audio files to provide transparency on this deadly incident. Indeed, we need to know all of the tactical decisions made.
• At any time were bodyworn cameras turned off or obscured?
• Release phone records from that night, in addition to body cam footage.
• Is this deadly incident being treated differently because the bullet came from a CPD officer and not a suspect on the street? If so, why?
• Release the full disciplinary file on this officer. We need to understand who he is, what his character is, and what his conduct is like. We think there are five additional disciplinary investigations on him, including insubordination.
• For that 2022 complaint about him flashing a gun at a woman and her date, was the other man questioned? Was there any video from the bar? Other witnesses interviewed? Shouldn’t a criminal investigation have been performed?
• Is there a criminal investigation underway for June 5th?
• What was the nature of the relationship between these officers?

And what does this all mean?

• The other officer’s personal lawyer has said publicly that the focus should not be on second-guessing each tactical decision of an officer.  We couldn’t disagree more strongly. In fact, the opposite is true. We need to review and question every tactical decision made on June 5th, but also throughout the short police career of this officer who fired the shots. 
• We believe warning signs were there – particularly with that domestic violence incident with him flashing a gun – and that he should have been criminally charged with aggravated assault and removed as a probationary officer. He never should have been an officer and this tragedy and the death of Krystal Rivera never should have happened.  In other licensed professions, this type of behavior by a medical student who made serious mistakes should never become an attending physician.  It is no different here. Low enrollment in the police ranks is not a reason to keep a person with red flags on the force.
• Very importantly, we believe this officer will be back on the street on or around July 4^th, with his service weapon. His 30-day period of administrative duties following the shooting will be over.  This family, this city, needs answers.
• This takes us to our civil investigation, where we will be pursuing every avenue of civil justice available. The Pension Code tells us what we can and can’t do in some regards, but we will use every state and federal avenue available to seek clarity, accountability and justice for Officer Krystal Rivera.

We know being a police officer in Chicago is a dangerous job. And we respect the brave officers who show up to work every day, willing to take those risks for the community.  We also, however, want our cops to be heroes and not disciplinary problems.  There is no reason ever to have, keep or promote an officer with red flags in their file.

“We call on Chicago Police Superintendent Snelling to share all the information available and explain what happened to Officer Rivera fully, in the same way you would have had she been shot and killed by someone not wearing a CPD uniform. The community is asking for, and deserves, answers. We know Chicago Police have a dangerous and demanding job, but that is not an excuse for poor training and supervision or rogue policing.  The Chicago Police Department is now charged with investigating one of their own and the circumstances surrounding how and why that officer fired his weapon at his own partner. To relieve any appearance of impropriety, the investigation should be turned over to an independent outside agency. I strongly urge the Chicago Police Department to call for an independent investigation, release the body and dash camera footage, as well as for the Superintendent to allow and address questions from the press. Time is of the essence here in doing the right thing by Krystal and all who loved her,” said Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC.

“Krystal was admired by her fellow officers, respected by her community, loved by everyone who truly knew her. She led with kindness and was a woman of character. Whether she was mentoring young officers or simply brightening someone’s day, she always lifted others up. As her mother, I am asking for complete transparency. I need to understand what happened that night. I need the truth,” said Yoland Rivera, plaintiff and Krystal Rivera’s mother.

“Losing Krystal has been an unspeakable tragedy not only for our family but for everyone who knew her, worked beside her, loved her and that number is innumerable. Her courage, her heart, and her fierce dedication to standing up for others defined her both in and out of uniform. Krystal was the type of woman who would show up for you before you even knew you needed her, and she did it with strength, grace and that signature fire in her spirit. We are asking the Superintendent for full transparency.  We believe that it is in the city’s best interest. We know for sure that Krystal deserves the best investigation that this city, that she loved and died for, has to offer,” said Rico Thompson, Krystal Rivera’s stepfather.

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 25 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.