Crime & Safety

Police In Riot Gear Confront Protesters Outside Mundelein Village Hall: Report

The family of Mary Alice Love continues to demand the firing of the sergeant who fatally shot her during a mental health call in May.

MUNDELEIN, IL — Police officers wearing riot helmets lined up outside Mundelein Village Hall Monday night as protesters continued demanding the firing of a sergeant who fatally shot a 37-year-old woman during a mental health crisis earlier this year, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

Mary Alice Love was fatally shot on May 11 at her Mundelein home, and since then, her family has repeatedly called for the termination of Sgt. Christopher Brigano — even despite Lake County prosecutors announcing in recent weeks that he would not face criminal charges in connection with her death.

Video shared by the Lake County chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation showed at least 10 officers wearing helmets, some with face shields, standing outside Village Hall as protesters left Monday's meeting, while family members and supporters accused village officials of attempting to intimidate them, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

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Mundelein Mayor Robin Meier defended the village's handling of recent meetings, saying disruptive chanting and other activities have made it difficult to conduct village business, and announced that purple ribbons honoring Love would be allowed to remain along village rights-of-way through Nov. 24, according to the news report.

Meanwhile, the village has hired an independent law firm to review whether the officers involved in the shooting followed department policies, procedures and training, and officials have said no employment decision will be made until that review is complete.

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