CHICAGO P.D. — “The Cases That Need to Be Solved” Episode 316 — Pictured: (l-r) Jon Seda as Antonio Dawson, Eamonn Walker as Chief Wallace Boden, Ser’Darius Blain as Brian Johnson, Tiffany Renee Johnson as Lauren Brooks, Jesse Lee Soffer as Jay Halstead, Sophia Bush as Erin Lindsay, S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin, Samuel Hunt as Craig Gurwitch — (Photo by: Matt Dinerstein/NBC)

Name of the Episode: “The Cases That Need to Be Solved”

Beware – the following contains spoilers!

The episode begins by saying the episode does not depict any living person; this story is ripped from the headlines. Antonio is called to a crime scene where a young black boy was shot execution style, plus two more shots. The intelligence unit canvases the area for witnesses, but everyone is reluctant to give information because they are scared of the repercussions that might come back to them. The boy’s parents come to the scene and identify the body; they’re devastated. Noah’s mother blames his father for bringing this situation on him. Voight vows that his team will solve this case; this case needs to be solved.

Research shows Brian, Noah’s father was a part of the gang, West Side posse. The shooting might be a gang retaliation. However, it’s difficult to comprehend because Noah was only six years old. The police commander and a reverend come by the department to speak with Voight. She wants Voight to lead the case because of his fifteen years with the gang unit. The reverend wants to make sure the victim will be treated fairly, but Voight promises whatever happens, the suspect will be taken care of safely in the unit. Noah’s mother doesn’t live with Brian anymore, but she acknowledges his gang connection. He was out of the gang system for a little while after Noah was born, but he was tangled back in once again.

Brian got into a bar fight because of what another patron said about the death of Noah. The police were called in to break up the fight and took Brian to the station for questioning. He was brought into the interrogation room where Al is able to mediate and calm Brian down. Atwood asks if there is anyone who would want to hurt Noah. Brian insists he doesn’t know anyone who would do this. He says he’s been out of his gang since his son was born and the police need to update their database.

G-Park Lords is the rival gang to the West Side posse and there was chatter about a retaliation. Platt came upstairs to report about a drive by shooting in the G-Park territory. The young man who was shot was not fatally wounded. He’ll survive and no one else was shot in the process miraculously. The young man shot, Jesse says he did not see who shot him and don’t know why he would be targeted. Halstead and Lindsay visit Jesse’s mom to ask if he was involved with Noah’s shooting. She is furious about their accusation and asks them to leave, she says Jesse is not involved. The reverend stops by hoping to bring good news; except his source is a little outdated, but Voight appreciates his efforts. Just then, Halstead catches a break on why Brian was targeted. The G-Park members may have been seeking a Bryan Johnson of the double 3 gang. If they got the two men mixed up, Noah would have been an accidental casualty in this gang war.

The car seen at the drive by shooting is found torched in the middle of the street. The car was stolen from Illinois from a woman who was on vacation; no connection to any of the gang members. The GPS was salvaged and extracted for information. All location points are connected to Noah’s murder and also to a residence of a high school boy who knows Jesse. The boy, Collin is surrounded at his residence and runs away from the team. Ruzek corners Collin and puts him into custody. Once in the interrogation room, Collin claims he doesn’t know anything about anyone. He acknowledges he is in the G-Park gang; but only somewhat involved. The white SUV seen at the scene of the crime was parked at Collin’s home. He says he wasn’t involved with anything and doesn’t know anyone in question. Voight keeps pressing the photo from Noah’s crime scene in Collin’s face demanding information. Collin still maintains ignorance, and Voight wants to mark Collin for murder. The intelligence lawyer says he cannot charge Collin or Jesse with anything because of the racial cases lately. If he charges anyone, he’ll need witnesses, and solid evidence to bring to a jury.

Jesse’s cousin Chelsea comes by the station to see Lindsay. After the first visit, Chelsea saw Noah’s photo on the news and wanted to help Jesse. He was roped into the killing because his friend Jordan is higher in the gang and made threats. Bryan Johnson raped Jordan’s sister the week prior and he wanted retaliation. Jesse and Collin were the lookout and driver; while Jordan and his little brother Andre were the ones actually in the alley to kill Noah.

Brian’s brother Miles is seen at Jordan’s house. Miles lost his nephew and he wanted justice for what happened. He had a gun held to Jordan when Al and Atwater came into the home. Al is able to talk the gun out of Mile’s hands and lets him sneak out the backdoor. Once in the interrogation room, Antonio is furious with Jordan’s lax behavior about Noah’s death. Once Antonio is out of the room, Jordan says his brother Andre was the one who pulled the trigger. He is only twelve years old so he won’t be charged as an adult; and Jordan made him do it so he learns how to kill.

At the end of the episode, Antonio speaks to his son Diego about the tragedy that occurred. The city then comes together for a candlelight vigil in Noah’s memory. These stories happen everyday in communities around the nation. We need to trust that our police force can make the right decisions to keep everyone safe.

On next week’s episode: Halstead goes on a routine money drop, but the mission goes sideways. His friend is killed and he becomes focused on getting revenge on the attackers. Stay tuned for more after takes!