Newly released body camera footage from the December 9, 2025, police shooting of Roberto Calvario Jr. in West Ridge has raised questions about the official account provided by the Chicago Police Department. Calvario, 20, was killed by Officer José Salazar during an investigation into a possible stolen BMW on North Washtenaw Avenue.
According to police and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), officers Salazar and Gilberto Gomez approached Calvario and another man after they attempted to enter the BMW. One individual fled while Calvario tried to re-enter his own vehicle. The police initially stated that as they tried to remove Calvario from his car, he accelerated and dragged an officer, prompting Salazar to fire his weapon.
However, attorneys representing Calvario’s family argue that recently released body camera footage does not support this narrative. They claim it shows that Calvario “posed no threat” during the encounter. The law firm Loevy + Loevy announced plans to sue the city over the incident.
The footage reveals Officer Salazar shouting at Calvario to “stop” as he attempts to get back into his car. While Gomez’s camera briefly captures Calvario dragging an officer, neither video clearly shows when the shot was fired. Audio from Salazar’s camera records a single gunshot before showing him fall as the car moves down the street and crashes into a parked vehicle.
Calvario was struck in the back of the head. Officers are seen pulling him from the car and attempting first aid; a woman passenger is also detained at the scene. Police removed a gun from Calvario’s waistband and recovered another firearm nearby, according to COPA.
An ambulance arrived about ten minutes later, with Calvario pronounced dead at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
Loevy + Loevy attorneys allege that Salazar fired before Calvario began driving away and contend that “the officers’ actions — not Calvario’s — ‘posed a threat to the community.'” Attorney David Owens stated: “Police are not permitted to summarily execute people on our streets. This was an egregious, unnecessary, and unlawful shooting by a CPD officer.”
Chicago police did not respond for comment regarding these claims. COPA continues its investigation into the shooting.
The law firm also noted that Salazar has not been required to provide a statement for COPA’s inquiry so far. According to attorneys for Calvario’s family, there was no lawful justification for using lethal force in this case.
Calvario’s mother, Awilda Ramirez, said: “They didn’t have to kill my son,” adding: “I want to ask that man why. I want to know why he shot my boy for nothing.”
