Chicago is still shaken after a tragic police chase in Chatham ended with the death of Officer Krystal Rivera—and now we’re learning more about the man at the center of it all.
According to Block Club Chicago, 25-year-old Adrian Rucker, from Freeport, Illinois, has been hit with five felony charges after the chaos that unfolded last Wednesday night. Those charges include armed violence, having a gun without a valid FOID, and drug possession.
Here’s what police say happened: around 9:50 p.m. on June 5, officers tried to stop someone near 82nd and Drexel. That person ran into a nearby apartment building—and that’s when things took a tragic turn. Officers chasing him encountered Rucker inside, and he was allegedly holding a rifle. One officer fired a shot, likely believing Rucker was a threat, but tragically that bullet struck Officer Rivera in the back.
She was rushed to the hospital, but not without complications—her squad car broke down and caught fire during transport. They had to transfer her to another car just to keep moving. Rivera later died from her injuries. Another officer was also shot in the wrist but is expected to recover.
Rivera was a 36-year-old mother and a four-year veteran of the force. She had a 10-year-old daughter. Superintendent Larry Snelling described her as “young, vibrant and a hard worker” who “came on this job to make a difference.” Read more here.
Police say they recovered three firearms from the scene and took two people into custody.
It’s a devastating situation—one that’s sparked even more conversations around high-risk police encounters, friendly fire incidents, and how officers are trained to handle split-second decisions.
