A person who threatened Chicago cops with a gun simply six days after getting probation in one other gun case, prompting the officers to shoot at him, acquired a sentence of simply 2½ years on Tuesday, in response to court docket data. However he’s anticipated to serve little to no time in an precise jail.
On September 10, 2024, Rakim Kendall, 32, was given first-time weapon offender probation by Decide Tiana Blakely after he pleaded responsible to having a gun in a automotive in suburban Lansing. Six days later, Chicago cops tried to cease him as a result of he matched the outline of a masked man who had been seen with a gun exterior companies within the 7100 block of South Jeffery, in response to a CPD report.
Kendall ran from officers and was instantly struck by a passing SUV, knocking him to the pavement, in response to police and video later launched by the town. He acquired up, pointed a gun towards officers, and continued operating with the weapon nonetheless in his hand, the report mentioned.
One officer fired a shot at Kendall as he scrambled to his ft. Prosecutors later mentioned Kendall pointed the gun at officers a number of instances together with his finger on the set off whereas the police shouted at him to drop the weapon. He refused, and officers fired once more however didn’t strike him, officers mentioned.
Police ultimately caught up with him within the 7100 block of South Cyril. Prosecutors mentioned it took 5 officers and a Taser to deliver him below management. Officers allegedly recovered a firearm and a bag containing zip baggies of marijuana from Kendall.
On Tuesday, Kendall pleaded responsible to aggravated illegal use of a weapon and aggravated assault of a peace officer. Decide Charles Burns sentenced him to 2½ years and credited him with 449 days of credit score earned within the county jail. As a result of Illinois routinely reduces most jail sentences by 50 %, Kendall has fewer than seven days remaining to serve.
Earlier this week, Decide Blakely ended Kendall’s first-time weapon offender probation “unsatisfactorily.” This system, which permits a profitable participant to ultimately expunge their case, was beforehand restricted to adults below 21 who met eligibility necessities. Lawmakers modified the statute final yr to make this system accessible to all adults who qualify. Kendall benefited — or may have benefited — from that change.
Here’s a compilation of the officers’ bodycam video launched by COPA (robust language):
You possibly can view the complete movies and all associated supplies right here.
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