Brothers charged in fatal shooting of Chicago police officer denied bail

Droves of Chicago police officers walk into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse to attend a bail hearing Tuesday for Emonte Morgan, charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Officer Ella French and wounding her partner. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Emonte Morgan, 21, and his brother, Eric Morgan, 22, face a litany of felony charges in the Saturday shooting in West Englewood that killed French and left her partner fighting for his life at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Emonte Morgan, accused of killing Chicago Police Officer Ella French, and his older brother who was also charged in connection to the shooting were ordered held without bail Tuesday.

Emonte Morgan, 21, and his brother, Eric Morgan, 22, face a litany of felony charges in the Saturday shooting in West Englewood that killed French and left her partner fighting for his life at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

About three dozen police officers, many in uniform, packed into the courtroom for Emonte Morgan’s bail hearing.

Chicago Police Department

Chicago Police Officer Ella French

Prosecutors said both men gave statements to police.

Emonte Morgan told investigators “that he admitted to drinking and to possessing a gun in the front of his waistband,” said Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney James Murphy.

Emonte Morgan also admitted “he might have shot the girl and boy cop,” Murphy said during a hearing before Judge Arthur Willis.

Murphy said the gray SUV was initially pulled over because of expired license plates, then the officers noticed an open container of alcohol in the SUV.

French’s partner was shot twice in the head and once in his right shoulder, Murphy said.

Emonte Morgan was shot twice — in the abdomen and in his left arm — and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

In denying bail, Willis said Emonte Morgan had “callously” shot at the officers whose weapons, prosecutors said, were holstered before Morgan opened fire.

Willis also noted the events were captured on police body cameras, including the fact that the officers’ weapons were holstered before being fired upon.

Eric Morgan was ordered held without bail at a later hearing by Judge Charles Beach.

Right after the second hearing, dozens of cook County sheriff’s deputies stood saluting, lining the hallway as CPD officers filed out of the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.

Emonte Morgan was charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer, two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, according to the Cook County state’s attorney office. Eric Morgan was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and obstruction of justice, the state’s attorney office said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

A Chicago police officer wears a blue and black band on her badge as she walks into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse to attend the Tuesday bond hearings for two brothers charged after the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer Ella French.

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