Chicago police have so far charged five suspects with armed robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle but none of them were charged by Tuesday morning (May 9) in the fatal shooting of police officer Aréanah Preston, though investigators believe there’s a connection between the two crimes, CBS Chicago reports.

Just three years into her law enforcement career, Preston, 24, was days aways of graduating from Loyola University School of Law with a Master of Jurisprudence degree. Instead of anticipating marching with her class, Preston was shot multiple times Saturday (May 6) around 1:42 a.m. near her Avalon Park neighborhood home after getting off her shift.

An officer arrived at the scene and took Preston to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she succumbed to the gunshot wounds to her chest.

Surveillance video shows Preston turned off the lights to her personal vehicle and walked toward her family’s home, according to local station WLS. A dark-colored car pulled up and at least one person jumped out. Preston was then seen laying in her family’s front yard as the vehicle sped away.

Although she was off-duty, CPD officials said Monday (May 8) that the department officially recognized the slaying as a line-of-duty death, NBC Chicago reported.

The killing of the young officer comes as Chicago is transitioning leadership. Outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot dealt with issues of violent crime through her entire one-term tenure and lost the faith of voters in the primary, which she did not emerge from.

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson called Preston’s death a  "profound tragedy,"  and said "my heart breaks for the family of the young officer who was murdered early this morning. I'm outraged and devastated by this horrific violence against a public servant." In his campaign he promised to bring in 200 more police detectives, among other items to deal with violent crime. However he is taking over a city that recorded 697 homicides in 2022, according to nonprofit research organization Wirepoints.

Police surveillance teams nabbed two of the suspects Sunday (May 7) when they got into the back seat of an Uber, CBS Chicago reported. The police said a semi-automatic 9mm pistol was recovered. But it was not immediately known if that weapon was used in the fatal shooting.

At least one of those passengers was wanted in connection with Preston’s homicide, the police said. That suspect was also wanted in an armed robbery that occurred early Saturday morning.

Preston’s aunt, Norma Mhoon-Harris, told NBC Chicago that her niece was a “lovely person and personality.”

Loyola University released a statement saying that Preston was due to graduate on May 13. "At Loyola, Officer Preston will be remembered by her faculty and classmates for her kindness, intellect, and commitment to service," the statement read, according to NBC Chicago.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of our very own Fed Aréanah Preston. At just 24 she was not only a Federated woman, but just received her second degree. Aréanah was a light who smile brightened any room. She continued to lift as she climbed by serving and protecting her community as a Chicago Police Officer for the last three years,” a Facebook post from the National Association of Colored Women’s Club read.