Officer Luis M. Huesca (Chicago Police Department / Youtube)
Law enforcement officers have arrested the suspect accused of killing Chicago police Officer Luis Huesca, according to police and Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward).
Hopkins said that Xavier Tate Jr., 22, who had been sought for days following Huesca’s death, has been arrested without incident.
“He is currently in custody, being returned to Chicago,” Hopkins said in a post on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.
The CPD confirmed Tate had been arrested Wednesday evening in suburban Glendale Heights.
“We thank all of our law enforcement partners who assisted in the apprehension of this suspect as we work to bring justice to Officer Huesca and his family,” the police department said in a statement, adding that its investigation remains ongoing.
Huesca, 30, was fatally shot in Gage Park as he returned home following his shift around 3 a.m. April 21. Police said officers responding to a report of shots fired drove to the 3100 block of West 56th Street, where they discovered Huesca outside with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Huesca’s funeral was Monday.
The CPD announced over the weekend that an arrest warrant had been issued for Tate in connection with Huesca’s killing.
Various agencies and groups including the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, the FBI, the Fraternal Order of Police, Crime Stoppers and others were offering rewards totaling $100,000 for information leading to Tate’s arrest and conviction.
“We ask that the people of this city continue to support the Huesca family by keeping them in your prayers as they continue to mourn the loss of a beloved son, brother and uncle,” the CPD said.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office on Thursday announced it had approved a charge of first-degree murder against Tate, who is expected to appear at a detention hearing Friday. Tate also faces charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen firearm.
Huesca’s vehicle and service weapon were both taken after he was killed.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Officer Huesca and recognize the courage of all our officers,” the office said in a statement. “We remain steadfast in our pursuit to ensure that justice is served for Officer Huesca and the city he served.”
A Safer City is supported, in part, by the Sue Ling Gin Foundation Initiative for Reducing Violence in Chicago.
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
