Chicago city lawyers are recommending a $225,000 settlement for Lorenzo Williams after the Civilian Office of Police Accountability found that an officer used excessive force during a 2024 arrest in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood. Body-worn camera footage showed officers restraining Williams on the pavement while a gun was pointed at his head. The proposed payment is scheduled to go before the City Council Finance Committee on Monday, with a final vote possible at the September 23 council meeting.
The confrontation began just before 7 p.m. on July 30, 2024, when Officer Michael Donnelly and Officer Joseph Vecchio were dispatched to the 800 block of Cambridge Avenue, according to WTTW News. Officers had identified Williams as a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a weapon after spotting what they believed was a gun tucked into his jeans. As officers attempted a stop and search, Williams ran forward into the street before falling to the ground, the outlet reports.
The body-camera footage described in the report shows Williams pinned to the pavement as Donnelly hit the left side of his head three times with his department-issued radio. Donnelly also pointed his firearm at Williams’ head at close range and threatened to shoot him, yelling, “I’ll f—— shoot you!” Vecchio held Williams’ head down by his hair. The footage did not show Williams attempting to use a gun against the officers, according to the report.
COPA Found Excessive Force, Cleared a Second Officer
COPA concluded that Donnelly used excessive force while trying to detain Williams and that his conduct discredited the Chicago Police Department and exposed the city to civil liability. The agency found no evidence supporting the claim that Williams was attempting to assault officers. It also found that Donnelly violated department policy by verbally abusing Williams and bystanders and by confronting members of the crowd after Williams had been placed in a police vehicle…