A man wanted in connection with the murder of an off-duty Chicago police officer last month is in custody, according to Chicago police.
The department said its officers and the U.S. Marshal’s Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 22-year-old Xavier Tate Jr. on a first-degree murder charge Wednesday night in Glendale Heights, Illinois.
Tate’s arrest comes five days after he was identified as a suspect in the killing of 30-year-old Chicago police officer Luis Huesca.
“We ask the people of this city to continue to support and pray for the Huesca family as they continue to mourn the loss of their beloved son, brother and uncle,” CPD said in a statement.
Chicago police release photo of suspect in fatal shooting of Officer Luis Huesca
Xavier Tate Jr., 22, was arrested Wednesday night by Chicago police and U.S. Marshals on a charge of first-degree murder in the April 21 shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca . (Chicago Police Department)
In the early morning of April 21, Huesca was shot and killed in the Gage Park area on his way home from get off work. He was still wearing his uniform but had other clothing over it, Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling said.
He was shot nearly 20 times with a firearm that was converted into an automatic weapon, FOX 32 Chicago previously reported.
Huesca’s vehicle was stolen during the incident and was found nearby a short time later.Sources told reporters that his service weapon and insignia were not found at the scene. Chicago Sun-Times.
Chicago police officer Luis M. Huesca, 30, was shot to death two days short of his 31st birthday. (X/@ChicagoCAPS11)
Off-duty Chicago police officer shot to death while driving home from work: ‘Another sad day’
When Chicago police identified Tate as a suspect on April 26, they released video footage of him inside a convenience store and on the sidewalk outside.
Tate was previously arrested on March 6 for trespassing at a home in Olympia Fields. Fox 32 reports, citing court documents. He was due to appear in court last Wednesday for a hearing in the case.
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Crime Stoppers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, the FBI and the Fraternal Order of Police are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Tate’s arrest.
A funeral was held on Monday, April 29, for slain 30-year-old Chicago police officer Luis Huesca. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Huesca, who was killed two days before his 31st birthday, had been with the Chicago Police Department for six years. He was laid to rest on Monday.
