A Chicago Cop Was Killed and Her Partner Injured During a Traffic Stop. Now, 2 Brothers Are Behind Bars in Connection with the Case.

Two brothers in Illinois have been convicted in connection with the shooting death of a police officer who stopped the pair for a traffic violation, authorities said.

According to WGN, Emonte Morgan, 23, was charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer, two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

His older brother, Eric Morgan, 24, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and obstruction of justice.

On Saturday evening, Aug. 7, 2021, Chicago Police Department officer Ella French and her partner, Officer Carlos Yanez Jr., stopped a vehicle with the brothers and an unidentified female passenger, who has not been charged with a crime, because of expired plates, authorities said.

The occupants, according to police, opened fire on French, her partner and a third officer at the scene. During the ensuing firefight between the two groups, French was fatally struck and her partner wounded. One of the Morgan brothers was also hit and transported to an area hospital in stable condition.

The murder victim’s partner was in critical condition after the incident, and Chicago Police Dept. Superintendent David Brown said the brothers “need to be fully held accountable" for French's murder.

On social media, Chicago police wrote about the slain cop: “We will never forget the true bravery she exemplified as she laid her life down to protect others.”

A third man from Indiana, Jamal Danzy, was accused of supplying one of the brothers with the gun used in the shooting after he allegedly purchased the firearm from a licensed dealer and transported it out of state to Illinois.

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On March 5, a jury deliberated for nearly four hours before convicting Emonte Morgan of first-degree murder, attempted murder of a peace officer, and possession/use of a firearm as a felon, WTTW reported.

“This defendant took away Ella’s ability to think,” Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Stevens said during closing arguments. “He took away her ability to move, he took away her ability to breathe. And in the end, this defendant took away every bit of life she had left to give.”

In October 2023, Eric Morgan accepted a plea deal in exchange for a sentence of seven years in prison.

Danzy pleaded guilty in federal court to purchasing the firearm used to kill French, and he received a sentenced of 30 months behind bars.