What You Need to Know About the Police Killing of Harith ‘Snoop’ Augustus

By Kenrya Rankin Jul 16, 2018

Who: Harith “Snoop” Augustus, a 37-year-old barber who lived in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago.

rn

 

When: Saturday July 14, 2018, at 5:31 p.m. CDT

Where: 2000 block of East 71st Street in Chicago, Illinois

What: An unnamed Chicago Police Department (CPD) probationary officer shot Augustus. He was taken to Jackson Park Hospital, where he was reportedly pronounced dead at 5:50 p.m.

From the department’s “preliminary statement,” which says the incident began because Augustus was "exhibiting characteristics of an armed person":

rnt

On Saturday July 14, 2018, at approximately 5:31 p.m., 3rd District Police Officers were on foot patrol in the vicinity of the 2000 block of East 71st St. The officers approached a male subject exhibiting characteristics of an armed person, when an armed confrontation ensued resulting in an officer discharging his weapon and fatally striking the offender. The offender was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced. A weapon was recovered at the scene. No other injuries were reported.


Witness Gloria Rainge told Chicago Sun-Times reporter Nader Issa what she saw:

rnt

Rainge said she was walking out of a nearby Walgreens store when she saw the officer tell Augustus not to sell loose cigarettes. When Augustus said he wasn’t, the argument escalated and the officer fired as he ran away, Rainge said.


Per the CPD statement, the use of force is currently being investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the involved officer has been placed on 30-day administrative duty. COPA issued a request for video that can aid its investigation, and said that it is working with the Cook Country State’s Attorneys Office, which will determine if criminal charges should be levied.

CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson released body cam footage of the shooting on Sunday (July 15) “in the interest of transparency and to dispell [sic] inaccurate information,” per CPD spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. The video does not contain audio; it zooms in and freezes on Augustus’ gun. Illinois is a concealed carry state. Johnson told press that Augustus had a valid firearm owner’s identification card, but did not have a concealed carry license. COPA is reportedly reviewing other body cam footage, and is not required to release it until 60 days after the shooting.

rn

 

Issa writes that a crowd assembled within minutes, kicking off hours of protest that resulted in the arrest of several people.

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rn

rntOn Sunday, protesters assembled again for a march and moment of silence in front of the barber shop where Augustus worked.

rn

rn

rn

rn