By MITCHELL ARMENTROUT
Chicago Sun-Times Wire
Dozens gather near the scene of two fatal shootings, one involving Chicago Police early Friday in Homan Square. | Network Video Productions
A man was shot and killed by Chicago Police officers who saw him shoot two other people, killing Jeffery J. Banks early Friday in the Homan Square neighborhood on the West Side, according to police.
Harrison District officers heard gunfire while on patrol about 12:25 a.m. and saw someone standing over another person and firing a gun near the intersection of Harrison and Central Park Avenue, CPD First Deputy Supt. Kevin Navarro told reporters at the scene.
The officers got out of their squad car, “engaged the offender” and fatally shot him, according to Navarro, who said the person had shot two other people, one of whom died. The other was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm.
Cleotha Mitchell | Facebook
The person shot by police was identified as 37-year-old Cleotha Mitchell of the 1300 block of South California, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The man allegedly shot by Mitchell was identified as the 35-year-old Banks. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene at 12:44 a.m.
A weapon was recovered at the scene, police said.
The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the use of force. The officers, who were not hurt, will be placed on desk duty for 30 days, per CPD policy.
It was the city’s second fatal police-involved shooting in just over 24 hours, and the third in a week.
Authorities investigate two fatal shootings early Friday, one involving police, in Homan Square. | Network Video Productions