Her slaying -- the 42nd in the city this year -- also highlighted the problem of gun violence in Chicago. More than 500 people were fatally shot in 2012.

McCarthy reiterated his call for minimum sentences for gun crimes and mandatory background checks.

"Michael Ward would not have been on the street of New York City to commit this act," the impassioned superintendent said. "This is not about gun control. This is about the criminal justice system being designed to prevent gun violence."

Huge gaps in that system must be closed, he said, mentioning sentencing guidelines and universal background checks for gun buyers.

"But in my book, one of the bigger things is (a) requirement to report the loss, theft or transfer of firearms," he said.

He hoped Hadiya's case would be a turning point in the gun laws debate, and he apologized for his rant.

"I get a little emotional," he said. "Because it's true."