Chicago police officer charged with attempted murder in shooting

A Chicago police officer was charged with attempted murder in a shooting that occurred in October. 

Officer Joseph Cabrera has been charged with disorderly conduct, aggravated discharge of a weapon, attempted murder, false reporting of an offense and obstruction of justice after allegedly lying about a situation that led him to shoot at a 22-year-old man, court records said, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. 

The officer was charged following an incident in which Cabrera allegedly fired his weapon at a 22-year-old man who was sitting with his girlfriend in a car, according to a report from The Associated Press.

Before Cabrera discharged his weapon, he approached the couple in their car while off duty, asking them if they needed an ambulance. The couple said no, and left the area. Shortly afterward, the couple returned to the area and Cabrera followed, according to the AP. 

The 22-year-old man then stepped out of his vehicle and confronted Cabrera, and the officer allegedly grabbed him by his neck and punched him in the head. Prosecutors said Cabrera then fired at the man, the Sun-Times reported.  

It is unclear why Cabrera initially approached the couple. The man Cabrera allegedly shot at was not harmed, according to the Chicago newspaper. 

Cabrera said the 22-year-old attacked him and that is when he got out his gun and shot at him. 

Cabrera called 911 when the couple ran away and said he was attacked, but a witness who observed the conflict contradicted this account, according to prosecutors. 

Upon arrival at the hospital, Cabrera’s blood alcohol level was found to be two times above the legal limit for safe driving, according to the Sun-Times.  

He was not charged with a DUI since he already is facing felony charges, the prosecutors said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 

The Chicago Police Department has put the officer on desk duty and could face more discipline pending the investigation and trial.