Tuesday’s UCPD Shooting Incident

To: Members of the University Community
From: Paul Alivisatos, President, and Ka Yee C. Lee, Provost
Subject: Tuesday’s UCPD Shooting Incident
Date: January 19, 2022

Yesterday’s shooting near campus involving a University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) officer has been unsettling for many of us, and we share your concerns, about both Tuesday’s incident and about broader issues of violence in our community.

Associate Vice President of Safety and Security Eric Heath sent messages to the campus community yesterday and earlier today with details about what we know following the incident and the health of the suspect. We hope for the suspect’s recovery and the well-being of the officer and all involved. Investigations into this shooting are underway by the Chicago Police Department and UCPD, and the University will provide more information about Tuesday’s incident, including video footage, as soon as possible.

Our community’s safety and well-being continue to be a paramount priority. We have expanded law enforcement measures recently, including increased foot and vehicular patrols on and near campus and throughout Hyde Park. In the case of yesterday’s incident, this may have helped provide a quick intervention from UCPD as the incident was unfolding. We extend our gratitude to UCPD personnel for being prepared to intervene in critical situations to prevent further harm.

We encourage you to visit our Safety website for information about the safety resources available to you and tips for staying safe in the city. Please reach out if you need mental health support. Counselors at UChicago Student Wellness are available at 773-702-3625, and students may visit the Student Wellness website to learn more about services and for information on how to schedule a counseling appointment. Assistance for faculty and staff is available through Perspectives at 800-456-6327.

We know that making progress on public safety requires more than law enforcement actions, and remain committed to doing more to support the communities surrounding the University to address the root causes of violence. We will be sharing specific initiatives at a violence prevention forum next week – please look for an invitation soon.