Ella French ‘killer’s’ criminal record revealed: Three now charged after man arrested for buying gun used to kill cop
THE suspect charged in the murder of Chicago police officer Ella French has a string of previous arrests, it emerged on Tuesday.
That came after a third man was charged in connection with her death, after he was accused of buying the gun used to kill her.
Emonte Morgan, 21, has been charged with the murder of French, 29, after she was gunned down during a routine traffic stop on Saturday.
At the time of his arrest he was on probation after pleading guilty to a robbery charge in 2019, CBS reports.
He was also previously charged with traffic offenses, including operating a vehicle without a license, leaving the scene and driving uninsured, WANE.com reports.
Emonte’s brother Eric Morgan, 22, was also arrested in connection with the killing, which has left French’s partner critically injured in hospital.
Eric was said to have been driving the car which police say was pulled over for expired plates.
He is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and obstruction of justice.
Emonte was held without bond on Tuesday. Eric is schedules to appear in court later on Tuesday.
THIRD MAN CHARGED
A third man, Jamel Danzy, 29, was also charged on Tuesday with illegally buying the gun used to kill French.
He faces charges including knowingly transferring and giving a firearm to an out-of-state resident and knowingly disposing of a firearm to a convicted felon, WTTW reports.
Danzy faces five years in jail if convicted.
Special agent Kristen de Tineo said: “Tragedies like this happen when people straw purchase firearms on behalf of those who are prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms themselves.
“ATF remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate these firearms trafficking schemes and prosecute those responsible.”
HORRIFYING FOOTAGE
Security footage emerged on Tuesday which showed the traffic stop that saw French shot dead.
Two men and a woman were traveling in the car, police said.
The two officers are said to have asked one suspect to get out of the vehicle before a physical altercation and the gunman opened fire.
The clip shows as a person – believed to be the driver – running from the scene before jumping over a fence.
Neighbors are then said to have taken down the armed man before police took him into custody, ABC reports.
The killing saw some officers turn their back on Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot as cops gathered for a vigil.
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French’s family that “God took the wrong kid” as they paid tribute to her on Sunday.
French was the first Chicago police officer to be shot and killed in the line of duty since Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office in 2019.
Her death came as another weekend of bloodshed hit Chicago.