Neighbors said that exclusive surveillance video shared with ABC7 Chicago shows the front of Preston Areanah’s home on the South Side moments before he was fatally shot by a police officer.
At least one individual leaps out, halts, and a shadowy vehicle arrives. It is at this point that she traverses South Blackstone Avenue towards her family’s residence and deactivates the headlights of her personal automobile following her early Saturday morning shift, outside her Avalon Park residence, as depicted in the video, according to the accounts of neighbors.
“I heard gunfire around 1:30 in the morning and I was paralyzed, essentially,” stated Juanita Smith, Preston’s neighbor.
Then, the vehicle accelerates away. Outdoors, Preston, a 24-year-old woman, was lying in her family’s front yard, having been shot several times.
“I glanced outside. I didn’t spot anything. I examined my phone. I didn’t perceive anything,” Smith stated.
Officers quickly raced back to their cars, suspecting the speeding individuals. About 30 minutes later, video footage from Chicago police shows SUVs responding to the scene from every direction.
SEE ALSO | Prayer conducted for off-duty Chicago police officer fatally shot in ‘tragic’ incident near Avalon Park residence.
On Sunday evening, in the vicinity of 77th and South Bishop, law enforcement officials and SWAT units encircled a residence, loudly issuing instructions. According to residents, detectives promptly gathered all the footage for their inquiry. Over 36 hours later, another home was surrounded by SWAT teams.
Neighbor Dorn Thornton reported, “There were approximately 12-14 police vehicles situated at the northern section of the block. As I moved the lawn mower closer to my house, I noticed an additional blue light.” Expressing his observation, neighbor Dorn Thornton stated, “I witnessed a blue light. Furthermore, I observed that the alleyway was barricaded. It was evident that the street was also cordoned off.”
The individuals were apprehended following a prolonged confrontation, which onlookers observed transpire.
The ABC7 I-Team has been told that four individuals are now in custody in connection with the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer Preston Areanah. Potential witnesses cooperated with detectives, leading them to the two male and two female suspects who were taken into custody after a Sunday night standoff captured by SWAT team cameras in the area south of the 7600-block of Street Bishop.
On Monday night, investigators were searching and combing through the neighborhood of Preston’s in the back, where the officer’s ambush scene was still evident and dangerous.
Preston was expected to complete his studies and receive a Masters of Jurisprudence degree from Loyola’s School of Law this upcoming Saturday.
Norma, Preston’s aunt, was still distraught and shocked when she messaged Mhoon on Facebook about her late niece’s passing on Sunday.
Mhoon expressed, “It saddens me to contemplate the fact that she’s no longer here.” It was incredible how this happened to her, especially considering how well she was performing in her amazing job.
The St. Jude League arranges a procession to commemorate the deceased officers and their families from the Chicago Police Department.
Preston, known for her dedication and contributions both on and off duty, grieves the loss of fellow officers as the flags outside Police District 5th now wave at half-staff.
“Thornton mentioned that if there is something that takes up our attention, we should not want anyone to die unnecessarily. Maybe they can have a buddy system in place when going home.”
The spokesperson for the CPD stated that it is officially considered a duty of the police department to handle the death of her. The District 5th is planning to hold a vigil in her honor on Tuesday. The CPD mentioned that her funeral is still being planned.