Woman Officially Charged In Killing Of Police Officer

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 4, 2008 5:05PM

Robin Johnson was officially charged Thursday with the murder of Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis early Wednesday morning. The incident began when Johnson harassed a passenger on a CTA bus near the intersection of Western and Belmont. When that passenger got off the bus, Johnson followed and continued to bother the passenger. The harassed passenger then returned to the bus and complained to the bus driver and the two flagged down Francis. Johnson then entered into a struggle with Francis, grabbed his gun, and shot Francis in the head.

According to the Trib, "An autopsy showed Francis died from multiple gunshot wounds, the Cook County medical examiner's office said. Police were looking into the possibility that Johnson shot Francis more than once." After shooting Francis, Johnson was shot multiple times by responding officers; she remains in critical condition at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Following her arrest, Johnson's brother Tony came forward and apologized to Francis' family. "I am sorry for whatever happened. Whether my sister is guilty or not guilty, my condolences go out to them for their loss. . . . It's ugly all the way around.''

Photo of Officer Richard Francis courtesy of the Chicago Police Department