Sam Charles

Sam Charles is a criminal justice reporter for the Chicago Tribune covering the Chicago Police Department. He was previously a staff reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times and an investigative producer at WGN-TV. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.

Karen Archer, front left, weeps while holding hands with the Rev. Shari Johnson as they lead a community walk in memory of their friend and neighbor, Barbara Deer, and her son Kaleb, in the 3500 block of West Arthington Street, April 15, 2026, in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood. Barbara and Kaleb were found dead from gunshots in their home on April 14. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Garfield Park neighbors and elected officials mourn wife and son of former Cook County commissioner

April 15, 2026 at 8:34 p.m.

Officials said the widow and son of former Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer died in a murder-suicide.

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling stands with other officers while people gather near the Congress Plaza Gardens to protest immigration enforcement actions in the city on Sept. 6, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

CPD Superintendent Snelling pushes back on call to probe rising use-of-force incidents

April 14, 2026 at 5:19 p.m.

The Illinois attorney general's office noted the “concerning” trend of rising uses of force reporting, including in interactions with juveniles.

Chicago police investigate the scene of a shooting at a BP gas station at Marquette Road and Stony Island Avenue in Chicago, Feb. 25, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

After years of declines, Chicago shootings tick up in 2026

April 9, 2026 at 3:02 p.m.

After four consecutive years of steep drops in gun violence, shootings in Chicago ticked up in the first quarter of 2026.

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling appears on April 2, 2026, in front of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability at Kelly College Preparatory High School in Chicago to talk about the Chicago Police Department’s response to Operation Midway Blitz. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling defends CPD’s response to Operation Midway Blitz during heated forum

April 3, 2026 at 3:32 p.m.

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Thursday sought to clarify the Chicago Police Department’s response to Operation Midway Blitz during an often contentious meeting of the Community Commission for Public Safety...

Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman is seen in an undated photo. (Family photo)

Man charged in killing of Loyola student faces new federal gun charge

April 2, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Federal prosecutors on Thursday leveled a new gun charge against the man accused of killing a Loyola University student last month.

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling, right, salutes newly promoted Officer Adrianna Grenier during a graduation ceremony at Navy Pier on March 31, 2026. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

New study recommends where and how CPD deploys its officers

April 1, 2026 at 3:39 p.m.

With a voluminous, years-in-the-making study of the Chicago Police Department’s officer deployment methods finished, CPD must now decide which changes to enact first in its effort to more effectively respond...

Police Officer Krystal Rivera was shot and killed during an armed confrontation in a Chatham apartment on June 5, 2025. (Chicago Police)

Appeals court lifts protective order on Krystal Rivera shooting video

March 27, 2026 at 2:08 p.m.

A panel of Illinois Appellate Court judges on Friday reversed a Cook County judge’s order that barred the release of body-worn camera footage capturing the 2025 fatal shooting of Chicago...

Jerry Lewis, who was fatally shot on the Near West Side. (Zach Lewis)

2 charged in fatal shooting of beloved contractor on Near West Side

March 26, 2026 at 3:42 p.m.

Two men now face first-degree murder charges in the killing of 67-year-old Jerry Lewis earlier this week outside his Near West Side office.

An image from video showing a large gathering of young people in Chicago's Loop on March 25, 2026. (Citizen/NBC5Chicago)

Year’s first ‘teen takeover’ in downtown Chicago sees eight arrests, more curfew discussion

March 26, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.

Eight were arrested and two dozen curfew violations issued after a chaotic “teen takeover” popped up downtown Wednesday night, the first of the year, according to Chicago police.

Chicago police work in the left field seats after a reported shooting at the White Sox game at Guaranteed Rate Field on Aug. 25, 2023. (Kaarin Tisue/Chicago Tribune)

Legal squabble over mysterious White Sox shooting winding down as sun rises on another season

March 26, 2026 at 10:23 a.m.

More than two years after a shooting in the bleachers of a White Sox game, the central question remains: Where did the gunfire originate?

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