Police: Antioch woman fatally shot by officers was 'erratic'

GURNEE, Ill. (AP) - Police pleaded with a suburban Chicago woman to put down a rifle before she became "erratic" and was fatally shot by officers, authorities said.

Makell Meyerin died Wednesday of multiple gunshot wounds at a hospital in Libertyville, the Lake County News-Sun reported .

According to Christopher Covelli, a spokesman for the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, Meyerin had been waving a long-barrel firearm as she stood in the southbound lanes of U.S. Route 41 in Gurnee. He said Gurnee officers opened fire as the 31-year-old walked toward them.

"The officers negotiated for several minutes and pleaded with her to put the gun down," he said. "At one point, she approached a stopped vehicle and went to the driver's side, but the person in the vehicle was able to back up away from her."

Routine toxicology tests are being conducted, said Howard Cooper, the county coroner.

Police received complaints early Wednesday they believe involved Meyerin. Officers in Antioch responded to calls about a man and woman knocking on doors and asking for money.

Officers tried to stop a vehicle the solicitors were believed to be riding in, but the car struck a police vehicle and got away. Covelli said Meyerin was the passenger in the car.

___

Information from: Lake County News-Sun, http://newssun.chicagotribune.com/