Four Chicago teens charged with murder of 24-year-old police officer

Chicago Police Interim Superintendent Eric Carter announced the charges on Wednesday for 19-year-old Trevor Breeland, 19-year-old Joseph Brooks, 18-year-old Jakwon Buchanan, and 16-year-old Jaylan Fazier, who is being charged as an adult. All could spend the rest of their lives in prison if convicted.

"These individuals were looking for victims in the overnight hours of Friday and into Saturday morning, and are connected to multiple robberies and a motor vehicle theft earlier that morning leading up to the murder of officer Preston," Carter said. "As officer Preston was returning home after her tour of duty early Saturday morning, four offenders pulled up in a stolen vehicle and ran towards officer Preston while armed."

According to local ABC 7, the first victim of the group was a 33-year-old woman who was robbed around midnight near the 900 block of East 46th street. They then went on to steal a red Kia which was used for three more robberies and the shooting of officer Preston around 1:42 am. The report noted that the crew torched the Kia after their spree was over.

The group of teens all had a lengthy criminal history according to a report from CBS 2 Chicago. All had their first arrest prior to the age of 15 on charges that ranged from vehicle theft to armed robbery.

Officer Preston was set to receive a masters degree in jurisprudence from Loyola University Chicago this Saturday. One of her instructors, Sara Block said, "she was a student who was dynamic, intelligent, committed and a very driven person who wanted to make this world a better place."

Prestons mother Dionne Mhoon said in a statement, "I stand before you guys today as a mother, a heartbroken mother. A mother that is full of anger, rage, questions why."

Mhoon continued, "as crazy as it may sound, I pray for their family. Any time you shoot someone and say that's my work. What kind of human would say that about another human being?"