Officer John Bartholomew, 35

What happened

Talley and an accomplice allegedly robbed a Family Dollar in Chicago, beating cashier Maria Velazquez. When Bartholomew responded, Talley shot him. Later, while being transported for a CT scan, Talley pulled a hidden firearm from under his blanket and shot two officers, killing Bartholomew. Talley was on electronic monitoring under the SAFE-T Act, released by Judge Lyke in December 2025.

The release decision

On April 15, 2025, Alphonso Talley was charged with armed carjacking, aggravated robbery. Circuit Court Judge John Lyke Jr. ordered the release on December 10, 2025. Terms: electronic monitoring (no cash bail under safe-t act). Prosecutors had asked for pretrial detention. The defendant had 6 prior arrests at the time.

The defendant's record

Charged in an April 2025 armed carjacking and robbery in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. Free on electronic monitoring under the SAFE-T Act at the time of the shooting.

Sources

• Chicago cop killed after accused shooter freed under Illinois SAFE-T Act, Fox News
• Was Judge John Lyke required to release accused cop killer Alphonso Talley under the SAFE-T Act?, CWB Chicago
• What the SAFE-T Act is and why a CPD officer's death is renewing the debate over it, NBC Chicago