As investigation into Mundelein woman’s fatal shooting continues, mayor and critics have their say
Using words like “murder,” “coward” and “shame,” supporters of the family of a Mundelein woman who was fatally shot by police last month during an apparent mental health crisis expressed their anger during Monday’s village board meeting.
The people who talked about the late Mary Alice Love’s life and death for about 90 minutes included relatives and friends who knew the 37-year-old woman well — and strangers deeply troubled by how she died.
“I’m trying to make sense out of this,” Love’s father, Johnny, said before urging officials to make sure the officer who fired the shots “can never return to policing again.”
His and other audience members’ comments followed prepared remarks by Mayor Robin Meier, who opened the meeting by extending condolences to the Love family.
“While we may not fully understand your pain, we can empathize with you and continue to wish that the healing process moves forward for you, your family and this community,” Meier said.
Meier also touted the ongoing investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force and the Lake County state’s attorney’s office and promised “appropriate action” would be taken once the findings are in — but several audience members disputed her description of the inquiry as independent.
When it was time for audience members to speak, they described Love as a kind woman who loved to hug. They talked about her violent end. They called for a transparent investigation. They called for justice.
Love’s mother, Jeffry, called 911 on May 11 from the family home and asked for help because her daughter was making suicidal statements. Love suffered from bipolar disorder, her mother told the dispatcher.
Bodycam video released by the Mundelein Police Department shows the armed Love rising from a patio table behind the house, opening a sliding-glass door and then being shot.
Critics have accused police of killing Love rather than de-escalating the situation verbally, using nonlethal weapons or waiting for a crisis team. The sergeant who shot Love has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
Love’s family has demanded the sergeant be fired and two other officers be suspended. They’ve also demanded a public apology from police for previous statements portraying Love as someone who threatened officers.
The Love family and their supporters held a protest last Thursday at village hall and then marched to the nearby police station for a second demonstration.
In her remarks Monday, Meier said village leaders “support people exercising their First Amendment Rights calling for answers.” Neither Meier nor anyone else on the dais responded to the often-heated comments that followed.