Wrongful death lawsuit filed in friendly fire shooting of police Officer Krystal Rivera by partner Carlos Baker
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A Chicago-based law firm has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit following the tragic shooting of Officer Krystal Rivera by a fellow police officer earlier this year. The announcement was made on Thursday, highlighting a case that has garnered significant attention.

Officer Rivera’s life was tragically cut short in what has been described as a friendly fire incident on June 5. The fatal shot was fired by her partner, Officer Carlos Baker, during an operation.

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On Thursday, attorneys revealed more information about the circumstances of the case, which is being examined in Cook County.

A wrongful death lawsuit was announced Thursday in the fatal shooting of a CPD officer.

In related developments, it’s reported that another officer linked to Rivera’s death is facing allegations of attempting to secure video evidence related to a separate alleged incident at a bar.

Further insights into the case were provided by ABC7 Chicago, which obtained autopsy records confirming that Officer Rivera was shot from behind, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.

Police say Rivera’s partner accidentally shot her, as they were chasing a suspect in Chatham.

Attorneys on Thursday alleged Rivera and Baker were previously in a relationship before the shooting, and Rivera had recently requested a new partner after the two broke up.

The lawsuit claims Baker had an adverse and hostile reaction to her choice to end a two-year on-and-off romantic relationship between the two of them.

Court documents also show the breakup stemmed from Baker’s relationship with another woman, adding that Rivera had threatened to tell Baker’s girlfriend, who was living with him at the time, about their relationship.

Attorneys also said Rivera told CPD Baker was “reckless.”

According to the lawsuit, Baker showed up uninvited to Rivera’s home just one day before the two of them chased a gunman into a Chatham apartment back in June, where they ran into a second armed man.

During a press conference Thursday, lawyers said Baker did not help Rivera after she was shot, and Rivera radioed in her own shooting.

“Baker made intentional decisions not to come to Rivera’s aid,” lawyers said.

The suit says specifically he failed to provide medical aid, call for an ambulance or acknowledge that he was the shooter.

Baker has not been charged in her death.

Yolanda Rivera, Officer Rivera’s mother, filed the lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department and Baker.

Rivera’s mother and other close family members joined attorney Antonio Romanucci to open up about the lawsuit Thursday.

Baker has since been relieved of his police powers amid a separate assault investigation, CPD said.

He’s accused of punching a female off-duty officer.

But he claims that he was the victim in the alleged assault outside a Wicker Park bar.

Earlier this year, the ABC7 Chicago I-Team reported on a 2024 Civilian Office of Police Accountability disciplinary report, which uncovered that Baker had five previous complaints of misconduct, where findings were sustained.

He also faced three suspensions and two reprimands in just four years with the department.

Lawyers Thursday said Rivera’s death was completely preventable and should never have happened.

Neither Chicago police nor Baker’s attorney immediately responded to requests for comment.

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