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CHICAGO (WLS) — A second man arrested in connection with the death of Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera remains behind bars on Saturday afternoon.
A Cook County judge determined that Jaylin Arnold is a danger to the community. Investigators say the 27-year-old is a drug dealer who was armed when he encountered Rivera and her partner and set off a chain of events that led to her shooting death.
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Prosecutors say security camera footage and the offices’ body-worn cameras captured the encounter.
Supported by a small group of Chicago police officers, the Rivera’s family left court without saying a word.
Ald. Ray Lopez, who represents the 15th Ward, also attended Saturday’s detention hearing.
“We have to take this seriously. Judges have to take this seriously. The community has to take this seriously. It’s not just people selling drugs and trying to make ends meet. These are criminals, and they create situations that put everyone’s life at risk,” Lopez said.
CPD and U.S. Marshals arrested Arnold, who authorities say was on parole at the time, on the morning of June 19 near 75th and Vernon in Chicago.
Arnold now faces several felony charges, including weapons and drug charges along with a warrant violation.
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Investigators say Arnold was an armed gunman who Rivera and her partner first encountered on the evening of June 5 near 82nd and Drexel in the city’s Chatham neighborhood.
In court, prosecutors said the officers tried to engage with Arnold after they noticed what they thought was a gun with a drum magazine, and Arnold ran, prompting a pursuit.
The pursuit led the officers to a nearby apartment, where authorities say Arnold had guns and was preparing drugs for sale.
That is where investigators say Rivera and her partner encountered Arnold’s co-defendant, Adrian Rucker.
Prosecutors said police body camera video and security video in the apartment captured Rucker pointing a rifle at officers from behind a couch in the apartment.
Authorities say that’s when Rivera’s partner lost his footing, and his weapon accidentally discharged, striking Rivera and killing her.
Rucker has already been charged in connection with the officer’s death.
“To hear someone’s on parole, thought it was within his right to continue the drug-making operation, to continue having weapons designed for warfare, and then, as the judge said, running back to that place, bringing the police with you, and then, banging on the door, yelling, so everyone knows the police are behind you, there was intentionality as to what happened next,” Lopez said.
It is unclear if there will be any other arrests in connection with the case.
Arnold is due back in court on June 26, a day after a family, a community and the city of Chicago are set to lay Rivera to rest.
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