An off-duty Chicago police officer was shot to death early Sunday in Gage Park on the Southwest Side in what sources described as an apparent carjacking.

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert about 2:55 a.m. and found Officer Luis Huesca with multiple gunshot wounds in the 3100 block of West 56th Street, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

Huesca, 30, was driving home from work in his police uniform when he was shot, according to police Supt. Larry Snelling. The wounded officer was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Snelling told reporters outside the hospital hours after the shooting that Huesca had been on the police force for six years and was just two days away from his 31st birthday.

“We lost one of our own today,” Snelling said. “He was just a great officer, great human being.”

Snelling did not confirm the shooting happened during a carjacking, but he said Huesca’s vehicle had been stolen. No arrests have been reported. 

Roughly 30 gunshots were fired during the attack, and it’s unclear whether Huesca returned fire, according to law enforcement sources. 

His Toyota 4Runner was stolen and later recovered nearby. Huesca’s gun and badge weren’t found at the scene, sources said.

An officer remembered

In a letter to department members, Snelling said Huesca was assigned to the office of Area 2 Deputy Chief Senora Ben.

“There will be sadness, anger and grief as we ask how the life of our fellow brother could be taken in this reprehensible act of violence,” Snelling told the department. “Our focus right now is on his family and loved ones who are going through the unimaginable trauma of loss. We are also focused on apprehending whoever is responsible for this.”

Sources said Huesca attended the police academy alongside Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso, who was fatally shot in the line of duty just over a year ago.

In a video commemorating Vásquez Lasso, Huesca described his friend as “the epitome of the American dream.”

“He came to this country, looked for a way to move upward, made a societal difference, stepped away from mediocrity, did what others would not do in their lifetime, and actually succeeded in this country,” Huesca said on the video posted to the police department’s YouTube channel.

“Whether it was at work or outside of work, he could take the time to help others,” Huesca added. “And he’s one of those guys that actually deserve this star. He’s very proud of wearing this star,” he said referring to the badge.

One resident who lives a couple of blocks from the scene heard police sirens blaring, but didn’t think much of it. He says the area is usually “pretty quiet.”

“It’s sad that someone loses their life over nothing,” the resident, who has lived in the area for over a decade, said in Spanish.

On Sunday night, community members gathered at the scene of the shooting to pray and sing songs in Spanish. They placed lighted candles near Huesca’s home.

Alejandro Mora tearfully looked up before placing a bouquet of red roses on the ground near the candles.

Mora said Huesca’s death hits close to home for him because his cousin is an Illinois state trooper.

“That could be my cousin right there,” Mora, 22, told the Sun-Times pointing to the roses. “It’s heartbreaking.

“I woke up this morning definitely having a heavy heart,” said Mora, who lives near where Huesca was killed. “It shouldn’t have to come to this.”

Mora says the city needs a “little bit more love, compassion and understanding.

“There’s a mother out there and her screams and cries are reaching the heavens right now, and she’s saying ‘God, why not me?’”

Reactions from mayor, police organization

In a video-recorded statement, Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara said Huesca was targeted for his vehicle and killed because he was a cop.

“They had to execute him because he was a Chicago police officer, and they didn’t want to get caught,” Catanzara said in a YouTube video. “If they will do that to a Chicago police officer, what does anybody think the average citizen stands a chance in any of these situations? Because you do not.”

Catanzara insisted “law enforcement in this state and all across the country are under greater attack than ever before.”

He noted that at least three people convicted of killing Chicago cops have been paroled over the last two years “because of policies of politicians and judges.”

In a statement, Mayor Brandon Johnson described the shooting as “an act of unconscionable gun violence in our city.”

“I met with Officer Huesca’s mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have the full support of my administration as they deal with this unspeakable loss,” Johnson said. “Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis’ fellow officers and community.”

The mayor vowed to commit “every resource available toward apprehending anyone involved in this morning’s shooting and bringing them to justice.

In May of 2023, Officer Aréanah Preston was shot to death as she was returning home to Avalon Park after her shift.

Contributing: Anthony Vazquez