The police board agrees with COPA’s recommendation to fire the officer who fatally shot Reginald Clay Jr. in Lawndale

CHICAGO (WLS) – The family of a man shot by a Chicago police officer showed up at Chicago police headquarters seeking a step toward justice for their son, leaving Thursday night’s board meeting with what they said was a reason to celebrate.

Carrying billboard-sized pictures of the man they knew as “Big Red,” Reginald Clay Jr.’s parents left police headquarters relieved and on a mission.

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“Fernando Ruiz, he has to pay for what he did to my son,” said Tara Henderson, Clay’s mother.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said Officer Ruiz shot Clay Jr. as he ran from officers during a gang de-escalation stop on April 15, 2023.

READ MORE: COPA releases bodycam video of Chicago police Reginald Clay Jr. shooting man

Limited body camera footage shows Clay Jr. with a semi-automatic handgun, which his family said he was legally licensed to own.

In an investigation that spanned more than a year, COPA recommended the firing of Officer Fernando Ruiz for violating the department’s foot pursuit policies and de-escalation tactics.

Superintendent Larry Snelling rejected that recommendation.

Now, in a follow-up review, the police department’s chief administrator said: “I believe the superintendent has failed in his duty to act on the chief administrator’s recommendation to terminate Officer Ruiz from the Chicago Police Department.”

In announcing the decision Thursday evening, Board Chairman Kyle Cooper said, “It is important to note that this does not mean that the accused officer is currently found guilty of the alleged misconduct.”

Clay Jr.’s family was on hand to hear the verdict in person.

“I want to thank you all. COPA, the Chicago Police Department heard us. They felt our pain,” said Reginald Clay, Sr., father.

Now the family continues their fight for justice for Clay Jr.

“As I have said again and again since April 15 when they killed my son: We are not going anywhere. He’s gone forever and I promise you we’re not going anywhere,” Henderson said.

Now it’s up to Officer Ruiz to decide whether to take his case to the entire police department or seek arbitration.

Chicago police say only that Ruiz is listed as an “active” officer.