Chicago Officer 'Paralyzed' In Traffic Stop Striving For Recovery: GoFundMe

Chicago Police Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. remains in the hospital for injuries he sustained during a shooting incident that killed Officer Ella French, and his injuries could lead to “potentially lifelong disability.”

That’s according to his family. Relatives of the wounded officer established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses.

“We are all still in disbelief of the incident that occurred on Saturday, August 7th, 2021,” they wrote on the fundraiser page. “The physical harm done in addition to the psychological trauma everyone is experiencing should never have happened.”

Officer Yanez, a husband and father, sustained gunshot wounds to his eye, brain and shoulder. The family expects that he’ll need “home modifications, accommodations, and transportation needs to increase accessibility and quality of life…We remain hopeful for a miraculous recovery but have to prepare for what’s to come.”

“Most importantly, we remain with our hearts full of gratitude that he is in fact alive.”

Officer Yanez recorded a video from his hospital bed, which WGN 9 shared Wednesday evening (August 18), to thank the community for their support. “I love you all,” Officer Yanez said, later adding “I do this all for you.”

Officer French died on August 7 at age 29. Authorities charged two suspects — brothers Emonte and Eric Morgan 21 and 22, respectively — in connection with the shooting incident. Their mother, Evalena Flores, 41, was also arrested after live-streaming an attempt to get into the hospital where one of her sons was receiving treatment for his injuries. Since the incident, the Chicago Police Department has hosted a memorial service and posted tributes to remember their fallen officer. They’ve also encouraged the community to “pray for her wounded partner.”

“As a father, a parent, the way you love your kids, no matter how strong they are, how big they are — they’re still your kids,” Carlos Yanez Sr. said of his injured son at a recent vigil. “And when they suffer, you suffer.”

Here’s what the family wants others to know about him, in part:

“Anyone that knows Carlos, will say what an amazing human being he is. He is just so genuine. We all know him as a strong, hard-working and good-hearted soul...Once he hit the dance floor the party officially started. To see him with paralysis of 3 limbs and loss of an eye is unnatural and heart-breaking. We are hoping with extensive therapy, hard work, and prayers he will see a successful recovery to get back to what he loves.”

The GoFundMe campaign for Officer Yanez has nearly reached its $250,000 goal, raising more than $227,700 as of publication on Thursday afternoon (August 19). Find the fundraiser here.