Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan are two brothers who made headlines in 2021 for their involvement in the fatal shooting of Chicago police officer Ella French and the wounding of her partner, Carlos Yanez. The tragic incident sparked outrage and grief among the law enforcement community and the public, as well as questions about the background and motives of the Morgan brothers.
Who are Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan, and what is their relationship and family history? Here are some facts you need to know.
The Morgan Brothers Are From Chicago and Madison
Emonte Morgan, 23, and Eric Morgan, 22, are both from Chicago, Illinois, where they grew up in the Englewood neighborhood, a predominantly African-American area that has been plagued by poverty, crime, and violence. According to their social media profiles, the brothers attended John Hope College Preparatory High School, a public school in Englewood. However, they also have ties to Madison, Wisconsin, where they have relatives and friends.
The brothers moved to Madison in 2019, where they lived with their aunt, Latoya Morgan, and her husband, James Morgan. Latoya Morgan told the Chicago Sun-Times that she took in her nephews to give them a better life and a chance to escape the violence in Chicago. She said that Emonte Morgan was enrolled in a GED program and Eric Morgan was working at a warehouse. She also said that the brothers were close and loved each other, but they had some troubles with the law.
Quick Info
| Age | 23 |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Occupation | Musician (claimed) |
| Criminal Record | Battery, resisting arrest, trespassing, robbery, probation violation, murder, attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon |
| Trial Outcome | Guilty on all counts, facing life in prison without parole |
| Relationship with Ella French | Brother |
| Relationship to Ella French | Shooter |
The Morgan Brothers Have Criminal Records
Both Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan have criminal records in Illinois and Wisconsin. Emonte has been arrested several times for offenses such as theft, burglary, and possession of a stolen vehicle. In 2019, he was charged with armed robbery in Madison, but the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. In 2020, he was arrested again in Madison for possession of a firearm by a felon, but he was released on bail and failed to appear in court.
Eric Morgan also has a history of arrests and convictions for crimes such as theft, burglary, and fleeing from police. In 2019, he was convicted of felony theft in Dane County, Wisconsin, and sentenced to three years of probation. In 2020, he was arrested in Chicago for driving a stolen car, but he was released on electronic monitoring. In 2021, he was arrested again in Chicago for possession of a stolen vehicle, but he was released on bail.
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The Morgan Brothers Were Involved in the Shooting of Officer Ella French and Her Partner
On August 7, 2021, Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan were driving a gray SUV with expired plates in Englewood, when they were stopped by Chicago police officers Ella French, Carlos Yanez, and Joshua Blas. The officers asked the brothers to get out of the car, but Emonte refused to put down a drink and a cell phone he was holding. A struggle ensued, and Emonte allegedly pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting French in the head and Yanez in the eye, shoulder, and brain.
Blas returned fire and wounded Emonte Morgan in the abdomen. Eric Morgan, who was driving the car, ran away from the scene, but was later caught by other officers. A woman who was in the car with the brothers was not charged.
Officer French, 29, was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center, becoming the first female Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty since 1988. Officer Yanez, 39, was critically injured and underwent several surgeries, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. Officer Blas, 38, was not injured. The shooting of the officers sparked an outpouring of support and condolences from the law enforcement community and the public, as well as calls for justice and accountability for the perpetrators.
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The Morgan Brothers Are Facing Multiple Charges and Possible Life Sentences
On August 9, 2021, Emonte Morgan was charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer, attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer (two counts), aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. On August 10, 2021, Eric Morgan was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and obstruction of justice. Both brothers pleaded not guilty to the charges and were denied bail.
On September 9, 2021, Emonte was indicted on 85 counts, including 63 counts of first-degree murder, for his role in the shooting of Officer French and her partner. On September 10, 2021, Eric Morgan pleaded guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon, and obstruction of justice, and was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the shooting. He also agreed to cooperate with the prosecution and testify against his brother.
On March 5, 2024, Emonte was found guilty of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder by a jury, after a month-long trial that featured testimonies from witnesses, officers, experts, and Eric Morgan. He faces a possible life sentence without parole, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2024. His mother, who spoke to the media after the verdict, claimed that her son was innocent and that the trial was a cover-up.
The Morgan Brothers’ Relationship and Family Remains a Mystery
Despite the extensive media coverage and public attention on the Morgan brothers, little is known about their relationship and family background. Their social media posts indicate that they had a close bond and shared interests in music, sports, and fashion.
They also expressed anti-police sentiments and posted pictures of guns and money. Their relatives and friends have described them as good people who made bad choices and fell into the wrong crowd.
However, their family history remains a mystery, as they have not revealed much about their parents, siblings, or other relatives. Their aunt, Latoya Morgan, who took them in when they moved to Madison, said that she did not know much about their upbringing or their father, who she said was not in their lives.
She also said that their mother, who lives in Chicago, was devastated by the shooting and the charges against her sons. She said that she still loves her nephews and hopes that they can find peace and forgiveness.
The Brothers’ Mother Spoke Out After the Verdict, Claiming Her Son Was Innocent
After Emonte Morgan was convicted of murdering Officer French, his mother spoke to the media, saying that justice was not served and that her son was innocent. She claimed that there was evidence hidden and that the jury could not give her son a fair trial. She also said that the shooting was a cover-up and that she would continue to fight for her son’s justice.
The mother’s statement was met with criticism and disbelief by many, including Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and 8th District Commander Bryan Spreyne, who said they were grateful for the jury’s verdict and that it was a step towards healing for the officers’ families and the city. Officer French’s brother, Andrew French, also expressed his frustration with the mother’s comments, saying that she was in denial and that her son deserved to rot in prison.
| Name | Age | Role | Charges | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emonte Morgan | 23 | Gunman | First-degree murder of a peace officer (63 counts), attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer (2 counts), aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon | Convicted, awaiting sentencing |
| Eric Morgan | 22 | Driver | Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, obstruction of justice, aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon | Pleaded guilty, sentenced to 7 years in prison |
Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan are two brothers who were involved in the fatal shooting of Chicago police officer Ella French and the wounding of her partner, Carlos Yanez, in 2021. The brothers are from Chicago, but they also have ties to Madison, Wisconsin, where they lived with their aunt for a while. They both have criminal records and were out on bail or probation when the shooting occurred.
