Chicago police have arrested 22-year-old Xavier Tate Jr. in connection with the murder of off-duty police officer Luis Huesca. Tate was taken into custody in Glendale Heights, Illinois, by officers and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. Huesca was shot and killed on April 21 in the Gage Park area as he was on his way home from work. The suspect was identified five days later, and video footage of him inside convenience stores and on a sidewalk was released by police.
Huesca was shot nearly 20 times with a firearm that had been modified into an automatic weapon. His vehicle was stolen during the incident, but later found nearby. His service weapon and badge were not recovered at the scene. Tate had previously been arrested for criminal trespass to a residence on March 6 in Olympia Fields and was due in court for that case. Various organizations, including Crime Stoppers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI, were offering a combined $100,000 reward for information leading to Tate’s arrest.
The Chicago Police Department has asked the community to continue supporting the Huesca family as they mourn the loss of a beloved son, brother, and uncle. Huesca, who was killed just two days before his 31st birthday, had served with the police department for six years. He was laid to rest on Monday following his tragic death. Tate’s arrest brings some closure to the case and a sense of justice for Huesca’s family and colleagues.
The killing of Huesca sent shockwaves through the Chicago community, as another dedicated officer was lost to senseless violence. The department released images of Tate following the shooting, hoping to gather information that would lead to his arrest. Tate was apprehended a month after the crime, bringing relief to those affected by the loss of Huesca. The investigation into the incident and Tate’s motives continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Police Superintendent Larry Snelling described the shooting as a tragic event that took the life of a dedicated officer who was simply on his way home from work. Huesca’s murder highlighted the dangers that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis and the risks they take to protect their community. The Chicago Police Department remains committed to ensuring that those responsible for such heinous acts are brought to justice, providing a sense of closure for the families of the victims and the community at large. Tate’s arrest serves as a reminder of the tireless efforts of law enforcement to hold offenders accountable for their actions.