Deputy cleared in shooting of armed man in Elgin last summer; two women indicted on related charges
A Kane County sheriff’s deputy was cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of an armed man in an Elgin intersection last summer, but a grand jury indicted two women on multiple felony counts related to the shooting.
According to a Friday evening news release from Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser, her office found no evidence of wrongdoing by the deputy, who was off-duty at the time of the shooting.
However, Mosser also announced two women — involved in a brawl that officials believe precipitated the July 8 shooting near the intersection of Route 31 and National Street — were indicted by a grand jury on charges of battery, armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and mob action.
Charged are Mojahnay Steverson, 22, of South Elgin, and Akevia S. Gilmore, 23, of Elgin. Steverson faces an additional charge of obstructing justice.
According to the release, the unnamed deputy was traveling north on Route 31 near National Street about 4:30 p.m. when he saw a man later identified as Tyquaze Nicolas, 18, of South Elgin “involved in a multi-person fight that traveled in front of his vehicle.”
Investigators said Nicolas, the two women and a juvenile were pursuing and attacking two victims. The deputy told investigators Nicolas was armed with a rifle.
According to Mosser’s investigation, the deputy exited his vehicle and announced that he was law enforcement. The deputy told investigators that Nicolas did not drop his weapon and continued to escalate the fight.
The deputy opened fire, striking Nicolas multiple times, according to a Kane County coroner’s report.
The deputy began administering medical aid to Nicolas, but authorities said Steverson began interfering with Nicolas’ body and the crime scene. Elgin police officers soon arrived and took over medical care until paramedics showed up. However, Nicolas’ wounds proved fatal.
“Based upon a review of the investigation and all evidence obtained, the off-duty Kane County sheriff’s deputy had the reasonable belief that the deadly force he employed was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or other individuals,” Mosser said in the release.
Steverson and Gilmore were both granted pretrial release. Their next court date is slated for March 12.