Prosecutors said Monday that a convicted felon accused of attacking a store employee and fleeing with cash managed to bring a firearm into Swedish Hospital after his arrest and later used it to shoot two Chicago police officers, killing one of them.

Alphanso Talley, 26, of the South Shore neighborhood, appeared in Cook County court for a hearing before Judge Luciano Panici Jr., where he did not respond when asked to state his name.

The courtroom was filled with family members of Officer John Bartholomew and supporters from the Chicago Police Department, including 15th Ward Ald. Ray Lopez and Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.

According to prosecutors, Talley was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly pistol-whipping a female employee at a Family Dollar store around 8 a.m., taking her keys and wallet, and leaving with cash.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Investigators tracked him using a GPS device attached to the stolen money, prosecutors said.

After being taken into custody, Talley told officers he had swallowed drugs and was transported to Swedish Hospital.

While preparing for a CT scan, Talley removed his clothing and was given a blanket, prosecutors said.

When Officer Bartholomew removed Talley’s handcuffs, Talley “reached down from underneath the blanket and pulled out a handgun,” prosecutors said.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Talley then fired the weapon, striking Bartholomew in the head and another officer in the face.

Bartholomew, 38, later died from his injuries.

The second officer was transported to Illinois Masonic Medical Center and remained in critical condition, according to prosecutors.

Authorities said it was not immediately clear how Talley brought the gun into the hospital after his arrest.

Endeavor Health, which operates Swedish Hospital, said Talley “was wanded upon arrival” under its “public safety weapon detection protocols” and was under law enforcement supervision throughout his time in the facility.

The hospital system said no staff members or patients were injured during the incident.

Prosecutors said Talley later shot out a hospital window and fled.

A photograph published by the Chicago Sun-Times showed him running without clothing, with medical electrodes still attached to his chest. He was located a short time later beneath a nearby porch.

Talley has been charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated kidnapping.

He was ordered held in custody at the Cook County Jail following Monday’s hearing.

Assistant public defender Karin Talwar told the court she was not prepared to present mitigating evidence and requested a continuance, stating she had not yet had a confidential conversation with Talley.

Judge Panici allowed the hearing to proceed to establish probable cause and scheduled the next court date for Thursday.

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling issued a statement addressing the charges, saying they represent an initial step in the process.

“I want to thank every officer who quickly responded to take this offender into custody and every detective who worked tirelessly during this investigation to secure charges,” Snelling said.

“I ask that everyone continue to hold the family of our fallen officer in your hearts during this unimaginable time. We must also support and pray for our injured officer, who is still fighting for his life.”

Federal prosecutors also announced charges against a woman accused of making false statements when purchasing the firearm used in the shooting.

According to a criminal complaint, Olivia Burgos bought the 10 mm Glock pistol in May 2024 from Range USA in Merrillville, Indiana, and stated she was the actual buyer while denying drug addiction.

Investigators said Burgos later told law enforcement she had been addicted to fentanyl since April 2024 and used the drug daily, including on the day she purchased the gun.

The complaint does not name Talley, but court records show he has seven prior felony convictions in Cook County, including four for robbery.

At the time of his arrest, Talley was wanted on warrants related to armed robbery and armed carjacking and was on parole for battering a police officer and possessing a stolen vehicle, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Following the hearing, Catanzara and several local officials criticized earlier decisions to release Talley in a pending case and called for changes to electronic monitoring policies.

“It’s an absolutely failed system,” 41st Ward Ald. Anthony Napolitano said.

“You’re putting individuals on an electronic monitoring system that are repeat offenders of major crimes. Change the paradigm, find a threat level in order to put these people on monitors. Don’t just give it to anybody.”

“It needs to f---ing stop,” Catanzara said.

Catanzara also addressed the condition of the injured officer, saying it was severe.

“It’s very bad. It’s extremely critical. It’s not good,” Catanzara said.

Officer Carlos Yanez Jr., who was previously shot in the face in a separate incident in which his partner Ella French was killed, said the situation was difficult to witness.

“When I got to the hospital, I was told that this officer’s still fighting for his life,” Yanez said.

“And God, I hope that he makes a miraculous recovery and he’s with us and stays with us. For the families, just be strong right now. I know what they’re going through.”

Bartholomew, who was killed in the shooting, had served with the Chicago Police Department for 10 years.

Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of Monday.

Talley’s mother, Tamika Nicole Vaughen, spoke publicly following his arrest, describing his history of mental health issues.

She said she had spoken with him after his arrest and that “he said he don’t remember nothing.”

“He’s a mental health patient,” Vaughen said.

“I do know that. No one’s putting that in the news.”

Court records referenced Talley’s prior mental health evaluations, including findings from a pre-trial assessment after his first adult arrest in 2017 that noted a history of mental health treatment and drug use.

Records also show he had previously lived at Lawrence Hall, a residential treatment center near Swedish Hospital.

As his legal cases continued, Talley was ordered to undergo multiple behavioral evaluations, though the results were not publicly available.

“I don’t care what nobody thinks about my son,” Vaughen said. “That’s my son.”

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.