Xavier Tate Jr., a 22-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of an off-duty Chicago police officer, Luis Huesca, last month, was taken into custody by Chicago police and the U.S. Marashals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. Tate was arrested for first-degree murder in Glendale Heights, Illinois, on Wednesday night, five days after he was identified as the suspect in Officer Huesca’s killing. The Chicago Police Department asked the community to support the Huesca family by keeping them in their prayers as they continue to mourn the loss of their loved one.
Officer Huesca was shot and killed in the early morning hours of April 21 in the Gage Park area while on his way home from work. He was dressed in his uniform but had other clothing on top. Reports indicate that Huesca was shot nearly 20 times with a firearm that had been modified into an automatic weapon. His vehicle was stolen during the incident but was found nearby a short while later. Unfortunately, his service weapon and badge were not located at the scene. Tate, the suspect in the case, was identified by Chicago police on April 26, with video footage showing him inside convenience stores and on a sidewalk.
Tate had a previous arrest for criminal trespass to a residence on March 6 in Olympia Fields, and he was scheduled to appear in court for that case the same day he was taken into custody for Huesca’s murder. Several organizations, including Crime Stoppers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, the FBI, and the Fraternal Order of Police, had been offering a combined $100,000 reward for information leading to Tate’s arrest. Officer Huesca, who was killed just two days before his 31st birthday, had served with the Chicago Police Department for six years. He was laid to rest on Monday.
The tragic death of Officer Luis Huesca had a profound impact on the Chicago community, with the police department urging the public to support his grieving family. The authorities had been actively seeking Tate in connection with the murder for several days before his eventual arrest. The violent nature of Huesca’s killing, with him being shot nearly 20 times with a modified automatic weapon, shocked many, with his service weapon and badge being missing from the scene. The detailed video footage released by police of Tate inside stores and on a sidewalk helped in the identification and eventual apprehension of the suspect.
The arrest of Xavier Tate Jr. brought some closure to the investigation into Officer Huesca’s murder, with law enforcement agencies working together to track down the suspect. Tate’s previous criminal history and scheduled court appearance for a separate case added to the complexity of the investigation. The combined efforts of various organizations and the significant reward offered for information leading to Tate’s arrest demonstrated the importance of bringing the perpetrator to justice. Officer Huesca, a dedicated member of the Chicago Police Department for six years, was honored and remembered by his colleagues and community members as he was laid to rest.
