Mayor says fatal police shooting 'a very sad day' for Cal City

CALUMET CITY | City government officials are offering their condolences to the family of a teenage boy who was shot inside his home by local police officers and later died.

Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush, while not critical of the conduct of her Police Department, said the Wednesday morning shooting creates, "a very sad day for all Calumet City residents, including the police officers who responded to the emergency in the line of duty."

She said those officers — who now are on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the Illinois State Police — and their families, "are also deeply saddened and affected by any death occurring in the course of their work."

Qualkinbush also said she expects the state police's Public Interest Task Force to conduct "a thorough and independent" investigation of the incident that led to two Calumet City police officers shooting 15-year-old Stephon Watts, who later died at Franciscan St. Margaret Health hospital in Hammond.

Family members, including Wayne Watts, who identified himself as Stephon's uncle, said they are still grieving from his loss.

"We're very low at this time," he said.

But while not specifically addressing Qualkinbush's condolences, Watts said the family does appreciate the level of support they have received from local residents and activists in the south suburbs who have expressed interest in the case.

"We're thankful for the support of the community," he said. "We're hoping and praying that God leads us to the right answer."

Stephon Watts suffered from a form of autism known as Asperger's syndrome. Wayne Watts repeatedly called his nephew "a computer genius" who could "take apart a computer and put it back together."

Stephon Watts was shot and killed Wednesday when police were called to his home in response to a domestic dispute between the boy and his father. NBC 5 news reported it was a quarrel concerning computer use, but family members at a candlelight vigil held Thursday night outside police headquarters said the boy did not want to go to school.

There had been a dozen similar calls to the Watts residence since June 2010, 10 of which surrounded Stephon Watts, Police Chief Ed Gilmore had said at a news conference after the shooting. Gilmore said Watts attacked the officers with a kitchen knife and cut one of the officers on the arm before shots were fired.

Family members said Stephon Watts was holding a butter knife.

Bishop Lance Davis, of the New Zion Christian Fellowship Church in Dolton, said the shooting was a use of unnecessary force.

"There are other corrective measures that could have been used," Davis said.

Chicago-based attorney Marion Cruz, who was retained by the family, said Friday they are considering legal options but declined further comment citing the pending investigation.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be set. Services will be held at A.R. Leak & Sons Funeral Home in Country Club Hills.