Off Duty: The Crime
On the evening of December 29, 2011, Officer Clifton Lewis was working a second job as a security guard at a minimart in Chicago. Two men entered the store and shot Lewis multiple times in a brutal attack. The assailants fled the scene, stealing his service weapon and police star as they escaped.
Police Investigation and Suspects
Within a week, Chicago police had identified four suspects believed to be affiliated with the Spanish Cobras, a local gang. During hours of intense interrogation, all four men consistently denied any involvement in the murder. However, their denials did not deter the authorities from pursuing the case further.
This incident marks the first episode of Off Duty, an investigative series by Melissa Segura from the Guardian. The series delves into cases involving off-duty law enforcement officers and the complexities surrounding their deaths.
To access the full series, search for Guardian Investigates online. The accompanying illustration for this story was created by Kevin Serna as part of the Guardian Design team.
