Federal charges filed over gun used to kill Chicago cop, wound another at Swedish Hospital

Key Points:

• Olivia Burgos has been federally charged with making a false statement while purchasing a firearm, accused of acting as a straw purchaser for the 10mm Glock used to kill Chicago police officer John Bartholomew and wound another officer.
• Burgos allegedly lied on her purchase form about her residence and drug addiction status, claiming to live in La Porte, Indiana, and denying fentanyl use, despite admitting to daily fentanyl use and purchasing the gun for a convicted felon boyfriend.
• The gun was bought on May 27, 2024, from Range USA in Merrillville, Indiana, and Burgos reportedly acknowledged using fentanyl on the day of purchase during an ATF interview.
• Straw purchasing cases are challenging for law enforcement due to typically clean criminal records of defendants, but previous similar cases, such as the murder of Officer Ella French, have led to federal charges and sentences exceeding guidelines.
• The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun purchases used in crimes against law enforcement, with past judicial decisions reflecting frustration over sentencing lengths in such cases.