In a tragic incident that has rippled through the Chicago Police Department, two men have now been charged in connection with the unfortunate death of Officer Krystal Rivera. Jaylin Arnold, a 27-year-old from Chicago, is facing serious felony charges after being apprehended by members of the Chicago Police and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force on a parole violation, as well as narcotics possession.
Arnold’s rap sheet includes armed violence, possession of a firearm by a repeat felon, and possession of cocaine, according to reporting from CBS News Chicago. The encounter that led to Rivera's accidental shooting unfolded on the evening of June 5, when she and her partner, responding to a tactical call, chased a suspect—now identified as Arnold—into an apartment building. It was during these tense moments that Rivera was inadvertently shot by her fellow officer.
Further investigations and searches in the apartment where Arnold was found brought to light another suspect, Adrian Rucker, who was in possession of an AR-style rifle. As announced by CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling, when officers entered the apartment, they faced Rucker with his weapon, which escalated the situation, leading to Rivera’s tragic death, the Chicago Sun-Times detailed in their coverage.
Both Arnold and Rucker have extensive criminal records, with Arnold most recently convicted in March 2023 as a felon in possession of a gun and sentenced to seven years behind bars. Despite these histories, the incident has cast a somber shadow over the community, marking a solemn chapter for the Chicago Police Department and the city at large. The aftermath of the shooting unfolded with allegations of an apartment strewn with guns and drugs, adding a complex layer to an already tumultuous case.
In the wake of these events, the loss of Officer Rivera has been profoundly felt. Her visitation and funeral arrangements were made public just days after Arnold's arrest, offering the CPD and the community a chance to honor her service and memory. Rivera’s visitation is set to take place at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home, while her funeral will be held at the Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, both events marking an opportunity for collective mourning and remembrance of a life devoted to public service.
