Federal prosecutors say the 10-millimeter Glock used to kill Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew and critically wound his partner, Officer Nelson Crespo, inside Swedish Hospital on April 25 was bought by a 23-year-old woman from La Porte, Indiana, who has now admitted it in court.
On July 7, 2026, Olivia Burgos pleaded guilty in federal court to a single count tied to that weapon, admitting she lied on federal paperwork when she purchased the gun in 2024. Prosecutors say the plea centers on the purchase, not on the shooting itself.
According to a written plea agreement, Burgos acknowledged buying the Glock at a Range USA store in Merrillville in May 2024 and giving false information on the ATF purchase form. Prosecutors say she later told investigators she had bought the firearm for a then-boyfriend who was legally barred from possessing guns, according to Block Club Chicago. The federal charge - making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm - does not accuse Burgos of taking part in the Swedish Hospital attack.
What Prosecutors Say She Told Agents
Federal agents say they traced the Glock back to Burgos' purchase at the Merrillville Range USA location. Reporting says Burgos told agents she had been using fentanyl daily and had used the drug on the day she bought the firearm. Those admissions, combined with the false answers on the purchase form, are central to prosecutors' claim that the sale was a straw purchase, according to NBC Chicago.
Legal Consequences
Under the plea agreement filed in federal court, Burgos faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Her sentencing will be set by the court and will depend on federal guidelines and any recommendations from prosecutors, per Block Club Chicago.
Where Investigators Say The Gun Originated
ATF agents say the pistol traces back to a sale at Range USA's Merrillville location. Investigative reporting has put the chain under scrutiny after federal inspectors cited some stores for compliance failures. A ProPublica investigation detailed multiple ATF inspections and prior recommendations that some Range USA locations face license revocation for violations, a record that critics say shows how quickly a gun can move from a legal retailer to a violent crime scene.
How The Purchase Fits The Hospital Shooting
Prosecutors say the same 10-mm weapon was used inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital on April 25, when a suspect allegedly pulled a gun from under a blanket and opened fire on officers who were escorting him. Authorities have charged Alphanso Talley with first-degree murder and other felonies in the attack. His Cook County criminal case is separate from the federal prosecution of Burgos, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Community Response And Support
The shooting sparked a wave of community support for the injured officer. Crespo's family set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills and home modifications while he recovers. Local reporting noted that Crespo has been moved to a rehabilitation facility as his recovery continues, per Patch, and the case has reignited debate about hospital security and pretrial release policies.
Burgos' guilty plea closes one investigative loop, tying the gun used in the hospital shooting back to a specific retail sale, but it leaves open questions about how the weapon moved from Indiana into the hands of a Chicago suspect. Prosecutors say the probe remains active and that federal and local investigators are still working to fill in the rest of the chain of events.
