A gun meant for destruction at a Chicago buyback event mysteriously vanished from police custody, only to end up in a teen’s hands and used in multiple shootings.

Story Snapshot

• A surrendered Glock 21 disappeared from a Chicago police station and resurfaced in the hands of a 16-year-old involved in violent crime.
• The shooting victim, Twanda Willingham, is now suing the City of Chicago and unnamed officers for alleged negligence and cover-up.
• The case exposes serious flaws in gun buyback programs and police inventory controls.
• Allegations of a police cover-up and systemic failures have led to renewed scrutiny of Chicago’s gun control policies.

Chicago Gun Buyback Breakdown: How a Surrendered Glock Fueled Tragedy

On December 2, 2023, Chicago hosted a gun buyback event at St. Sabina Church, aiming to reduce gun violence by collecting unwanted firearms. Among the old and often inoperable weapons, a modern and desirable Glock 21 stood out—a firearm expected to be destroyed and never return to the streets. However, after being inventoried at the Gresham District police station, the Glock mysteriously vanished from police custody. It later surfaced in the hands of a 16-year-old, who used it in multiple shootings, including the August 2023 attack on Twanda Willingham.

Chicago Woman Shot With Gun From Police BuyBack Program https://t.co/CGjCrudnox via @YouTube

— ihatecommies (@ihatecommies123) August 13, 2025

Chicago’s gun buyback initiatives have long been touted as solutions to urban violence, but they face recurring criticism regarding effectiveness and security. The disappearance of the Glock from a secured police inventory room raises urgent questions about internal controls and potential theft within the department. Chicago’s history of police misconduct and administrative lapses has eroded public trust, with previous cases showing surrendered guns resurfacing at crime scenes years later. These repeated failures point to systemic vulnerabilities in the chain of custody for firearms, undermining the very purpose of buybacks and exposing residents to preventable dangers.

Victims, Lawsuits, and Police Accountability

Twanda Willingham’s shooting brought the issue to national attention, prompting her July 2025 lawsuit against the City of Chicago and unnamed officers for alleged negligence and cover-up. The 16-year-old suspect was apprehended with the missing Glock in November 2024, and later pleaded guilty to unlawful possession. Officer Krystal Rivera, whose name appeared on inventory records, was investigated and cleared of wrongdoing after being killed in a friendly fire incident. Despite internal investigations, the precise method of the Glock’s disappearance remains unknown, fueling allegations of a cover-up.

The ongoing lawsuit and public scrutiny have forced the Chicago Police Department to confront widespread criticism over its handling of surrendered firearms. For Chicago residents, the consequences are immediate—erosion of trust in law enforcement, heightened fear of gun violence, and skepticism about participating in future buyback events. Economically, the city faces possible settlements and increased costs for improved security and oversight, while politically, pressure mounts for leaders to address these failures.

Broader Implications for Gun Rights and Policy Reform

Gun rights advocates like the NRA have long criticized buyback programs as ineffective and even counterproductive, arguing that such initiatives can result in desirable weapons falling into the wrong hands—precisely as seen in this case. The incident’s national exposure serves as a cautionary tale for other cities considering similar programs, underlining the necessity for transparency, accountability, and respect for constitutional protections.

While Chicago grapples with the fallout, the story’s coverage by major local outlets and national advocacy groups ensures its impact reverberates beyond city limits. The chain of events—from the Glock’s surrender and disappearance, to its use in violent crime and subsequent legal battles—illustrates how bureaucratic mismanagement can put lives at risk and erode core American values. As litigation continues, the demand for reform grows louder, with public safety, police integrity, and constitutional rights all hanging in the balance.

Sources:

Gun stolen from Chicago police station later used in series of shootings
Woman shot with stolen buyback gun sues City of Chicago
Chicago woman shot with stolen buyback gun files suit
Firearm turn-ins: Worse than useless
Judge’s gun turned in at buyback later found at crime scene