Retired Chicago police officer fatally shot outside home; 'person of interest' in custody
A "person of interest" has been taken into custody in connection to the death of a retired Chicago police officer.
Larry Neuman, who served as an explosives technician, was fatally shot outside his residence in West Garfield Park around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the Chicago Police Department and NBC Chicago.
The Chicago ATF, FBI Chicago, and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation are each offering $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest or conviction in this case.
A Chicago police spokesperson told USA TODAY on Monday that "there is a person of interest in custody, and the investigation remains ongoing."
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It is with great sadness we mourn the loss of the longest serving explosives technician with the Chicago Police Bomb Squad and a very wonderful human being. Larry was a wealth of knowledge and truly a joy to be around. We pray for his soul and his family during this time. pic.twitter.com/q5wTuhL50G
— Chicago Police Bomb Squad (@CPDBombSquad) June 20, 2024
Footage shows suspects police believe are connected to Neuman's killing
The Chicago Police Department released a video showing two individuals who may have been linked to the 73-year-old's death.
Dressed in black hoodies, the individuals were captured on camera walking down an alleyway.
Help the Chicago Police Department identify the following individuals in relation to the shooting that killed retired CPD Explosives Technician Larry Neuman in the 4300 Block West Monroe St on June 20, 2022. pic.twitter.com/Dag3HXmBsE
— Chicago Police Communications & News Affairs (@CPD_Media) June 22, 2024
According to ABC7, police said the suspects could be between 16 and 21 years old.
Police have not confirmed whether the person currently in custody is the same person shown in the footage.
Community members held a march to honor Neuman's life: 'Father figure'
Local outlets reported that community members gathered on Sunday to pay tribute to Neuman, the city's longest-serving bomb technician.
"Larry Neuman was a pillar of the community who dedicated his entire life to protecting and supporting others," Chicago Police said in a statement. "Even after retiring from CPD, he continued working to create safe spaces for the residents and youth in his community."
In addition to working at the police department for nearly 30 years, Neuman was also an ordained preacher at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church, NBC Chicago reported. He also served in the Vietnam War.
His loved ones remembered him as someone who would also lend a hand to his community.
"He was everything to everybody in this community. He was the father to figure kids that father wasn't in their life," Shonda Johnson, a friend of Neuman, told ABC7.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Larry Neuman, retired Chicago police officer killed outside home
