New video shows off-duty Chicago cop chasing stabbing suspect on Northwest Side

Chicago's police oversight agency on Thursday released video footage related to a fatal stabbing on the city’s Northwest Side, which also left an off-duty officer with a graze wound from a bullet.

CHICAGO - The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) on Thursday released video and other materials related to a N ovember shooting involving an off-duty officer on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

The incident began around 2:23 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2024, near the 5600 block of West Leland Avenue, when the off-duty officer witnessed a stabbing.

Chicago police reported that the officer intervened, firing shots at the attacker.

During the exchange, the officer was grazed by a bullet in the leg.

The stabbing victim, a woman, died at the scene. She was identified as 54-year-old Lacramioara Beldie.

The injured officer was taken to Lutheran General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Footage from a neighbor’s Ring camera shows the suspect running and getting into a gold minivan after the attack. He fled the scene.

Hours later, Chicago police located the suspect, identified as 57-year-old Constantin Beldie, deceased inside a vehicle in the 5500 block of West Leland Avenue.

Suspect's Previous Charges

Court records show that Beldie had a history of domestic violence charges.

On Oct. 7, 2024, he was arrested for kidnapping and domestic battery charges.

According to a petition for pretrial detention, prosecutors said that on Oct. 3, 2024, Lacramioara was walking through an alleyway when she was approached by Constantin.

Constantin allegedly got out of his vehicle and accused Lacramioara of poisoning him. He then struck her in the face and body multiple times.

When Lacramioara attempted to defend herself, Constantin allegedly threw her to the ground using her backpack.

He then dragged her towards his vehicle and put her in the backseat. She was in the vehicle for about 10 seconds before escaping, prosecutors said.

A witness said she heard Lacramioara scream and the incident was captured on surveillance video.

Constantin allegedly fled the scene after the incident.

On Oct. 8, 2024, the victim was granted an order of protection against Constantin by Judge Thomas Nowinski. The order was set to expire on Oct. 29.

He was then released on electronic monitoring a day before the fatal stabbing.

Handling of Domestic Violence Cases

The stabbing renewed criticism of the judicial system’s handling of domestic violence cases. The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, a coalition of over 40 organizations, called for reform and criticized Cook County Judge Nowinski for his handling of this case.

"Judge Nowinski’s failure to protect the community has now resulted in two tragic, preventable murders," said Amanda Pyron, President and CEO of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. "He has repeatedly shown he does not have the judgment necessary to keep survivors safe, and at a minimum he must be reassigned. When survivors go to the courts for protection, that protection must be effective. Judge Nowinski has failed in that duty, and allowing him to continue to hear domestic violence cases sends the wrong message to survivors across Chicagoland."

Advocates argue that these cases highlight systemic failures in protecting victims of domestic violence.

The Network also urged the Pretrial division to improve screening procedures to ensure judges have all necessary information when making decisions regarding the release of suspects in domestic violence cases.

In addition to The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, Illinois State Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza also took to X on Friday morning to demand Judge Nowinski's resignation.

"Lacramioara Beldie, 54, was stabbed to death. She sought help from prosecutors & Judge Thomas Nowinski. They failed her. She no longer has a voice because she's dead, but I'm going to use mine to speak up for her & Jayden. Judge Nowinski should resign."

The Source: The information from this article was provided by the Chicago Police Department, COPA and advocacy groups.