CHICAGO – A federal complaint has been filed against Jamel Danzy, 29, of Hammond, Indiana, for allegedly conspiring to straw purchase a semi-automatic handgun that was used to shoot two Chicago Police officers, including the fatal wounding of Officer Ella French.
According to the complaint, Danzy purchased the firearm at a federal firearms dealer in Hammond, Indiana, on March 18, 2021, and falsely certified on the required forms that he was the actual buyer.
However, in reality, Danzy was a straw purchaser who bought the gun at the request of someone whom Danzy knew resided in Chicago, Illinois, and was not lawfully allowed to purchase a firearm due to a felony criminal conviction.
Officer French was shot and killed and another CPD officer was critically wounded Saturday night during a traffic stop of a vehicle on the South Side of Chicago.
The handgun used in the shooting was purchased by Danzy and given to the Illinois resident shortly after the purchase.
Danzy is charged with conspiracy to violate federal firearm laws, including knowingly transferring and giving a firearm to an out-of-state resident, knowingly making a false written statement to acquire a firearm, and knowingly disposing of a firearm to a convicted felon.
Danzy made an initial appearance in federal court in Chicago and was ordered to remain detained in federal custody.
U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch, Jr. stated, ‘Straw purchasers and firearm traffickers enable violence with deadly consequences.’
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri.
Disrupting illegal firearms trafficking is a centerpiece of the cross-jurisdictional strike force aimed at reducing gun violence.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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