CHICAGO () — A 50-year-old woman who was shot and killed while driving early Friday on Chicago’s South Side has been identified as an employee of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, according to Cook County Crime Stoppers.
The organization said the victim was Natalia Rodriguez.
The shooting happened around 12:17 a.m. in the 4500-block of South Wood Street in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Chicago police said Rodriguez was behind the wheel of a silver SUV, traveling south on Wood Street, when gunfire struck her. Her vehicle then crashed into a parked SUV.
Rodriguez suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to Stroger Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, police said.
Area One detectives are investigating the fatal shooting.
OEMC said in a statement, “The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Police Communications Operator (PCOI) Natalia Rodriguez. Throughout her decade of service to this department, Natalia was a close colleague and friend to many who worked alongside her throughout the years. Professionally, she was a hard worker and dedicated call taker. Natalia’s passing is a terrible loss to her family and to OEMC. Her contributions to 9-1-1 Operations and the City of Chicago will not be forgotten.”
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that helps investigators in the case.
“This is an especially tragic and disturbing homicide involving a woman who dedicated herself to serving the people of Chicago as an emergency communications dispatcher. Natalia Rodriguez’s job was to help others in their most critical moments, and now her family, friends, coworkers, and the entire Chicago community are left mourning her loss,” said Paul Rutherford, executive director of Cook County Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-535-STOP (7867) or visiting www.CPDTIP.com.
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