Emanuel backs Chicago police leader’s handling of shooting

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he supports the police superintendent’s decision to take away police powers from the officers who fired their weapons at the scene where an 18-year-old was fatally shot in the back.

But the Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/2bexZjo ) reports Monday that Emanuel says it’s too soon to say whether the July 28 shooting of Paul O’Neal suggests officers need more training.

Video of the incident was released Friday. Days earlier, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson stripped police powers from the two officers who fired at the fleeing stolen car O’Neal was driving and the officer who shot the unarmed teen in the back after he ran from the car.

Johnson hasn’t said what policies they may have violated, but department policy largely prohibits shooting at a vehicle if it’s the only threat to officers.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that Emanuel said he agrees with decision to strip officers of police powers, but didn’t say it appears officers violated policy.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com