The Oak Park Police Department has released body camera footage from a November 2024 incident in which Detective Allan Reddins was fatally shot while responding to a report of an armed suspect leaving a bank. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on November 29, 2024, the day after Thanksgiving, when officers responded to a call reporting a man with a gun leaving Chase Bank on Lake Street near the Oak Park Public Library. On Thursday, police made public body camera footage from five officers involved in the shootout, including Detective Reddins. Footage from Reddins’ body camera captures him approaching the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Jerell Thomas. Reddins can be heard instructing Thomas, “Don’t reach, bro. Don’t reach. Keep your hands up.” Simultaneously, video from a second officer’s body camera shows that officer addressing Thomas with, “Can I talk to you for a second, sir?” Thomas replies, “How you doin’?” The officer responds, “Good, how are you?” Thomas answers, “I’m alright.” The exchange escalates as the second officer warns, “Keep your hands. Don’t reach, don’t reach, don’t reach, don’t reach. Put your hands up,” prompting Thomas to say, “I have to go back home.” Moments later, Thomas raises his firearm and opens fire. While Reddins’ body camera cuts out after one shot, footage from the second officer’s camera captures the sound of at least six gunshots as the officer seeks cover. Additional footage reveals responding officers cautiously approaching Thomas, who had taken cover behind a pillar near the library. Officers can be heard repeatedly instructing him to drop his weapon. One officer, armed with a rifle, positioned himself behind a squad car. His body camera shakes as he fires four rounds after Thomas ignores commands to disarm. Another officer, arriving from the east, can be heard coordinating with colleagues before firing two shots with his handgun, striking Thomas and causing him to collapse. Thomas, writhing in pain, is heard shouting, “Ow, my leg,” as officers handcuff him and apply a tourniquet to his right leg. Despite initial confusion about the location of his injuries, officers administered life-saving aid while securing the scene. Police later recovered a handgun from under a bench near Thomas. Former Chicago Police First Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio praised the officers’ actions, describing them as exemplary. “I think anyone looking at this would say these officers were very well trained,” Riccio stated. “So many of these fatal encounters between police officers and offenders are very close. So this was really different, in that the distance was really a relatively large distance, and, you know, to fire a shot like that, and to hit somebody, and to kill them from such a distance really adds to the tragedy itself.” Detective Reddins, a five-year veteran of the Oak Park Police Department, was transported to Loyola University Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. He is the first Oak Park officer killed in the line of duty since 1938. Reddins was remembered as a courageous and dedicated officer, as well as a devoted family man. His son, Jayden, is an honors student at Morehouse College. Last month, hundreds of mourners, including officers, friends, and community members, attended Reddins’ funeral in Chicago. “We celebrate his legacy—a legacy of kindness, resilience, and an unshakable faith in those he cherished,” said Evanston Police Chief Schenita Steward. “The first qualities that come to mind are his loving and supportive nature.” Jerell Thomas was treated at Loyola University Medical Center following the shootout. On November 30, 2024, he was charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office with first-degree murder in connection with Detective Reddins’ death. Thomas has since been indicted on 56 felony charges, including attempted murder of a peace officer, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a stolen firearm. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in the Circuit Court of Cook County on March 4, 2025. 0:00 - Detective Reddings and Sgt. Ruiz approach the suspect 0:49 - Shots fired by the suspect 1:05 - Officer Barrera Bodycam 1:45 - Officer Kelly Bodycam 4:07 - Sgt. Verge shoots down the suspect 4:48 - Medical aid and arrest Disclaimer: The following content contains graphic scenes of violence that may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. #OakParkPolice #DetectiveAllanReddins #PoliceShootout #BodyCameraFootage #OakParkNews #JerellThomas #OfficerKilledInLineOfDuty #PoliceProcedure #LawEnforcementNews #BankRobberyResponse #CookCountyCourt #CrimeNews2024 #IllinoisNews #PublicSafety

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