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CTA Blue Line Arrest – Attempt Murder

Press Release PDF

December 2, 2025
Contact: Chief Ken Gross
For Immediate Release
Phone: 708-615-6299

CTA Blue Line Arrest – Attempt Murder

Forest Park Police Officers were called to the Harlem Avenue CTA Blue Line stop at approximately 8:34am on Monday, December 1, 2025 for a battery that had just occurred. The dispatch center informed officers that an elderly male had been punched and was laying on the elevated train tracks. An offender description was given to the responding police officers.

Officers located the victim lying on the train tracks. Tommie O. Carter, age 39 of Chicago was found on the train platform and matched the description of the offender given. Officers approached Carter and attempted to place him in custody. Carter defied verbal orders, actively resisted arrest and fought with officers trying to secure him in handcuffs. Officers of the River Forest Police Department arrived to assist in the arrest of Carter. After being placed in custody, Carter spit on an officer and remained resistant.
Officers tended to the victim who was transported to Loyola Hospital by a Forest Park Fire Department ambulance to treat the injuries that they received as a result of Carter’s alleged violent and unprovoked actions.

The investigation revealed that the victim nearly struck the “third rail” and that an outbound CTA elevated train was approaching the Harlem Avenue terminal. The train conductor witnessed the incident and saw that the victim on the train tracks was immobilized. They stopped the train to avoid striking the victim.

The Forest Park Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division worked together with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office and after interviewing witnesses and revieing video, the following, felony charges against Tommie O. Carter were approved:

1 Count of Attempt Murder
3 Counts of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer

Carter will be transported to the Maybrook Square Courthouse on December 3, 2025 for a pretrial release hearing
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Statement on Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement Activity

Village of Forest Park Statement on Recent Federal Immigration Activity – PDF

The Village of Forest Park is aware of recent immigration enforcement actions being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies in surrounding communities. These operations are being carried out without prior notice or communication to the Village. At this time, Village officials are not aware of any Forest Park residents having been detained.

We want to reassure our community that under the Illinois TRUST Act, Forest Park Police are prohibited from participating in or assisting with federal immigration enforcement. All of our officers are trained in the requirements of the TRUST Act, which clearly states that while local police enforce state laws and local ordinances, they do not engage in immigration enforcement. This distinction is important: our officers are here to protect and serve the community, not to enforce federal immigration laws.

If you call 911, Forest Park Police will respond independently—without ICE involvement. Officers will not ask about immigration status, and no one will be detained solely based on that status. The Department does not assist in immigration investigations.

For residents seeking support or legal guidance, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) offers a free hotline at 855-435-7693, connecting callers with immigration attorneys and resources on how to handle interactions with federal officers.

The Village continues to collaborate with neighboring communities and local leaders to ensure our approach reflects regional best practices. We are committed to transparency, community engagement, and peaceful expression. If residents choose to demonstrate, we encourage respectful and peaceful participation. The National Lawyers Guild of Chicago provides helpful guidance for those taking part in protests.

For more information on the Illinois TRUST Act and how it guides local law enforcement, please refer to the Illinois Attorney General’s official guidance.

The Village of Forest Park remains committed to keeping our community informed. Verified updates will be shared in our weekly E-newsletter. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can do so here.

Police Press Release – CTA Blue Line Shooting 09/02/24

Press Release 09/02/24

September 2, 2024

For Immediate Release

Contact: Forest Park Police Department

Contact Number: 708-366-2425

Four victims shot dead on a westbound CTA Blueline train to Forest Park, suspect in custody. 

           

On 09/02/2024 at 0527 hrs, Forest Park Police Department received a 911 call of three subjects shot on the train at the Forest Park CTA Blueline Station at 711 Desplaines Ave., Forest Park.  Police responded and cleared the station, locating four shooting victims.  Three were pronounced dead on scene, the fourth was transported to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where they were later pronounced.  The offender was no longer on scene and made good on their escape. 

            Forest Park Police working with CTA Security were able to locate an offender description through video surveillance.  Chicago Police Department located a subject matching the description on a CTA Pink Line Train and the subject was taken into custody.  A firearm was recovered.   

            Forest Park Police Detectives along with the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force have taken over this investigation.  This appears to be an isolated incident with no immediate threat to the community. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the Forest Park Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at:

 (708)366-2425 or email at Detectives@ForestPark.net.

Forest Park Police Press Release

Press Release – 2402246

PRESS RELEASE
July 24, 2024
Contact: Chief Ken Gross
For Immediate Release
Phone: 708-615-6299
Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm Arrest
Officers from the Forest Park Police Department were dispatched to the area of Jackson and Thomas, Forest Park, IL on July 10, 2024 at approximately 7:55pm for multiple reports of gunshots fired. Witnesses told responding officers that they heard approximately three gunshots and observed a maroon Chevrolet fleeing the area.
Forest Park Police Officers canvassed the area for security cameras and located several in the area with a number of cooperative residents sharing video footage with the police department. Street cameras and license plate readers (LPRs) were also viewed in an effort to identify the vehicle involved in this reckless shooting incident.
The Forest Park Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division diligently viewed video footage and learned that the suspect vehicle was registered to an address in Berwyn, IL.
At approximately 3:49pm on July 23, 2024, detectives and patrol officers pulled the suspect vehicle over in the area of Roosevelt Rd and Desplaines Ave. The driver, 34 year old Idaly Canizales of Berwyn, IL, was found to not have a valid Illinois driver’s license. Canizales, who does not have a Firearms Owner Identification Card (FOID) or Concealed Carry License (CCL), told officers that there was a firearm in the vehicle. A handgun was recovered and further interviewing Canizales she admitted to firing the recovered firearm in the July 10, 2024 incident on Jackson and Thomas informing officers that she shot the weapon at a vehicle that had an occupant who allegedly pointed a pistol at her in the Walmart parking lot located at 1300 Desplaines Ave, Forest Park, IL.
Idaly Canizales was charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm Within 1000 Feet of a School, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and traffic offenses.
This arrest was the result of great teamwork between Forest Park Police Officers, Investigators and residents of the Village of Forest Park.

Lieutenant Pater Graduates from Northwestern University Center for Public Safety

We extend our warmest congratulations to Lieutenant Dan Pater on his graduation from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety. This significant achievement marks the culmination of dedication and hard work in an intensive leadership and management education program for seasoned law enforcement professionals. The School of Police Staff and Command offers advanced college-level instruction covering twenty-seven core blocks of study along with optional sessions. Key subjects include Leadership, Human Resources, Organizational Behavior, Applied Statistics, Planning and Policy Development, and Budgeting. Students undergo rigorous academic assessments such as written exams, projects, presentations, and quizzes, along with a mandatory staff study paper. Completion of the program may earn students 6 undergraduate credits from Northwestern University. Established in 1936, Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety originally aimed to enhance education and training for law enforcement. Over time, it expanded its scope to offer various courses in Police Training, Management, and Executive Development. Lieutenant Dan Pater’s participation in this program is expected to yield numerous benefits for the Forest Park Police Department. Many graduates have advanced to leadership roles within their agencies, highlighting the program’s effectiveness in developing skilled professionals.

Join us in applauding Lieutenant Pater for his outstanding accomplishment!