Troubled Westmont woman charged with shooting at cops

A Westmont woman has been charged with opening fire on two police officers who shot back, striking her in the head and chest.

Heidi Till, 45, surrendered on attempted murder charges Friday — nearly four months after the June 1 shooting at her home on the 300 block of South Lincoln Street.

Prosecutors said Till called 911 that afternoon and told a dispatcher she had a gun and was going to kill herself. Two responding officers found her on the back porch of her home with a loaded handgun, authorities said.

One of the officers briefly engaged Till in conversation before she opened fire, prosecutors said. She is accused of pulling the trigger three times, including once in the direction of an officer. Both officers then returned fire, striking her in the head and chest, according to prosecutors.

Till was hospitalized for nearly three months and, for about the last four weeks, has been confined to her home because of an unspecified medical condition, authorities said. She was released from police custody Friday after posting a $5,000 bond.

“I am very grateful that no innocent bystanders, residents and especially our officers were injured during this dangerous situation,” Westmont Police Chief Tom Mulhearn said in a news release. “We look forward to working closely with the state’s attorney’s office as this prosecution progresses.”

Till faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of attempted murder. DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin credited Westmont police for their handling of the situation.

“Because of their swift and professional response, Ms. Till was taken into custody before any innocent people were injured,” he said, adding that Till would be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Till is scheduled to appear Oct. 29 in front of Judge Robert Kleeman.