CHICAGO - One of the two suspects detained in connection with the shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez Monday night has been released without being charged, according to sources.
This comes as Martinez's family, friends and colleagues begin to process their loss.
Father Michael Pfleger led a prayer vigil Tuesday afternoon at the 6th Police District in Auburn Gresham where Martinez worked.
"We want to let them know we hurt with them and we love them and we support them," Pfleger said. "I asked in that room how many in that room had lost a loved one. Almost everybody raised their hand. How many here have lost somebody that they love? We all have, just like those officers lost somebody that they love."
Martinez's death is the fifth such death in less than four years for CPD.
Officer Ella French was killed in 2021. Officer Andrea Vasquez Lasso died in 2023, the same year as Officer Areanah Preston. Officer Luis Huesca died in April.
WGN News has been told Martinez was engaged to be married soon and comes from a family of first responders. His brother is also a Chicago police officer.
Martinez was among a group of officers who conducted a traffic stop at around 8 p.m. Monday in the Chatham neighborhood on the city's South Side. Three people were inside the vehicle when one of them opened fire, with at least one officer returning fire.
Of the three suspects, one was shot and later died. Two were taken into custody while Martinez, who had been shot multiple times, was rushed to University of Chicago Medical Center where he died. Hundreds of his colleagues showed up to the hospital in support and later escorted his body to the city morgue.
Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke with WGN News Tuesday evening regarding Monday's tragedy and the dangers officers face every day.
"We are resilient people and we are grateful people and my condolences have been extended to Officer Martinez's family and to the entire police department," Johnson said.
Citywide crime year to date is down by 11%. Overall, vehicle theft is down by almost a quarter on last year's numbers. Homicide and robbery have also declined, but more progress needs to be made.
"We have seen a decline in homicides, shootings, vehicular hijacking, robberies, criminal sexual assault. We are trending in the right direction. We have a long way to go, but I'm very confident that our police force and the people of Chicago will continue to step up to ensure that a better, stronger, safer Chicago is fully achieved," Johnson said.
Police said another officer was hit by a vehicle during Monday's incident and is said to be okay.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is investigating and the officers involved have been placed on routine administrative leave.
Martinez was just 26 years old. Next month would have marked his third anniversary with CPD.