Chicago's top cop rejects watchdog agency recommendation that he fire officer in 2015 fatal shooting

CHICAGO - Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has rejected a recommendation from the city's police disciplinary agency that he seek to fire an officer in a controversial 2015 shooting that killed two people, according to a letter obtained by The Chicago Tribune.

Three months after disciplinary officials called for Officer Robert Rialmo's firing, Johnson has determined that the officer was justified in shooting Quintonio LeGrier, 19, as he carried a baseball bat during a domestic incident, according to Johnson's letter to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Rialmo also accidentally shot and killed a bystander, Bettie Jones, 55.

Johnson's ruling, however, is not the final word, and his decision could set up a rare clash with police disciplinary officials. The case presents an early test for a police