Off-duty police officer, 23, is shot dead while shielding his girlfriend in racially charged revenge attack by a man 'looking for a Hispanic person to attack after an argument'

A young Chicago off-duty police officer was gunned down in a parked car on Saturday in what police are describing as race-related revenge.

The man was looking for a Hispanic person to attack after a confrontation at a fast-food restaurant, the city's police chief said Monday.

'I guess he settled for the first Hispanic he saw,' Superintendent Eddie Johnson said.

Murder charges have been filed in the weekend slaying of John Rivera.

The 23-year-old was repeatedly shot while sitting in a car with friends, including his girlfriend, after visiting a pizza bar early Saturday in Chicago's River North area.

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