[chris]

On December 18, 2021, at about 12 a.m., Officer Jose Gutierrez and Officer Ricardo Mendez responded to Jeffery Pub, 7041 S Jeffery Blvd., after security guards reported that Irene Chavez became irate, struck one guard with a closed fist, and spat in another guard's face while being escorted out after being told she could not play the jukebox.

Chavez was arrested on signed complaints for two counts of simple battery. Officer Servando Gomez and Officer Jesse Lopez brought the complaint paperwork to the scene. Officer Stephanie Jimenez later arrived with Officer Nino Macias to conduct a pat down because Chavez was a female arrestee, and they helped secure her in the transport vehicle. Officer Gregory Wood and Officer Bryant Chow transported her to the 3rd District station at 7040 S Cottage Grove Ave.

At the station, Chavez was placed in a holding cell adjoining the tactical team office and handcuffed to a bench. Officer Jimenez returned to conduct a full search. Officers were processing the arrest paperwork in the TAC office while Chavez was in the cell.

At about 1 a.m., Officer Gutierrez checked the cell window, which was partly blocked by white paper, and saw Chavez on her knees with her shirt wrapped around her neck and attached to a bar on the wall. Officers entered, removed the shirt, unhandcuffed her, started CPR, called for emergency services, and notified Lt. Michael Murzyn and Sgt. Anthony McGowan.

Chicago Fire Department paramedics and firefighters transported Chavez to a hospital in critical condition. She was pronounced dead at 9 a.m. on December 18, 2021.

Officer Jimenez, Officer Mendez, Officer Gutierrez, Officer Lopez, and Officer Gomez committed misconduct by failing to ensure Chavez's safety and security. The same allegation against Officer Luna and Sgt. McGowan was unfounded. Officer Jimenez also committed misconduct for her fingernails and for failing to conduct a thorough custodial search. Officer Macias committed misconduct by engaging in an unjustified verbal altercation with Chavez.

Officer Lopez and Officer Gomez committed misconduct for failing to timely activate their body-worn cameras. Allegations against Officer Wood involving his body-worn camera were unfounded. Sgt. McGowan, Commander Watson, Commander Ward, and Lt. Irvin committed misconduct related to supervision and the operations of the 3rd District TAC office.