The family of Roberto Calvario Jr. has filed a federal wrongful-death lawsuit, accusing Chicago police of killing the 20-year-old during a late-night stop in West Ridge last December. The complaint, which names the City of Chicago and two officers, alleges Calvario was shot within seconds of officers approaching his vehicle.
The suit was filed on Wednesday on what would have been Calvario’s 21st birthday. Attorneys say it brings 14 counts, including wrongful death, excessive force, and false arrest. The civil-rights firm Loevy & Loevy filed the case in federal court on behalf of Calvario’s mother and his girlfriend, the family’s lawyers told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Body-Cam Video, Crash Details, and COPA Timeline
In January, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability released a transparency package that includes body-worn camera footage, audio, and Chicago Police Department records from the Dec. 9 encounter. COPA’s case log lists the incident at about 10:25 p.m., and the video shows officers sprinting up to the sedan, an officer briefly being dragged, and the car later slamming into a parked vehicle, according to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
The footage and accompanying records also indicate that medics did not arrive for several minutes while Calvario lay on the ground breathing but unresponsive at the scene.
Lawyers Say Body-Cam Undermines Police Reports
Attorneys with Loevy & Loevy, who filed the complaint for the family, argue the video undercuts officers’ accounts and shows there was no lawful basis to fire. In a statement, the firm called the footage heartbreaking, saying, "No mother should ever have to watch a video like that." Attorney Maggie Filler added that Calvario "is dead because this officer shot him," according to Loevy & Loevy.
Named Officer, Alleged Cover-Up And Court Fight Ahead
The federal complaint identifies Officer José Salazar as the one who fired the shot. It accuses the city and two officers of multiple civil-rights violations, including excessive force, false arrest and conspiracy. The suit claims officers had been interacting with Calvario for about 10 seconds before he was shot and alleges that officials later produced "inaccurate and misleading" reports to justify the use of force.
A spokesperson for the Chicago Law Department said the city had not yet been served with the lawsuit and that the office does not comment on pending litigation, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
What Comes Next In Court And At COPA
The case will move forward in federal court once the city is formally served. Separately, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability is continuing its oversight investigation and has already posted the body-worn camera footage and related records online.
Lawyers for the family say they intend to push the lawsuit to trial and seek remedies on behalf of Calvario’s mother and his girlfriend. Community advocates argue the shooting raises new questions about Chicago police use-of-force practices, and for now the public file from COPA remains the most detailed account available of what happened that night.
