An extremely controversial story surfaced yesterday from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), regarding a critical incident which occurred on October 4th, 2021. The incident involved a Chicago Police Officer who discharged his firearm on a 61-year-old man, fatally wounding him after he had contacted police himself and informed them his life was being threatened.

On the morning of the 4th, Chicago police officers responded to a domestic disturbance call near the 7700 block of S. Carpenter Street. During the 9-1-1 call, the male caller, identified as 61-year-old Michael Craig, can be heard telling dispatchers that his wife currently had a knife drawn on him and was holding it to his throat. In response, the responding officers arrived on scene with their body worn camera's activated. Upon arriving at the address, officers were immediately met outside by Craig's seven-year-old son. Craig's son also informed police that his mother was upstairs, holding a knife against his father.

As officers walked up the stairs, the domestic disturbance can be heard from the hallway. While entering the apartment with a less lethal taser, the officer observed Craig overtaking his wife. In response, the officer drew his firearm and discharged both his service weapon and taser at Craig and his wife. Now on the ground, it appears Craig attempted to sit up, where the officer then discharged a second round, striking Craig and fatally wounding him.

The officer can be heard questioning the female of where she had been stabbed, however she was uninjured. After a further investigation, Craig had sustained a laceration from the knife his wife used against him. There is still an ongoing investigation to this incident.

Craig's wife has since been hospitalized for mental health issues.

This is an extremely tough situation from a law enforcement perspective. Do you think Craig's wife should be at partial fault for the misidentified slaying of her husband? Should the officer seek charges for his misidentification, or was he justified by what he observed? You let us know what you think in the comments below.