The family of a Mundelein woman has hired a law firm to represent them, hinting at legal action, after the 37-year-old was fatally shot by police while armed with two large knives in Mundelein.
Chicago-based law firm The Brown Law LTD told Lake and McHenry County Scanner in a statement that they had been retained to represent the family and estate of Mary Alice Love, 37, of Mundelein.
Love’s family retained Brandon Brown, who is a civil rights attorney. He did not say whether the family intends to bring a lawsuit.
“At this time, the Love family will not be providing a statement. We respectfully request privacy in light of this devastating loss,” Brown said, calling Love’s death “tragic” following an encounter with law enforcement.
Love died on May 11 after the Mundelein Police Department responded around 5:57 p.m. to a home in the 1100 block of Ashbrook Drive in Mundelein for a report of a suicidal female, later identified as Love.
“The caller, a relative on scene, reported the female was suicidal and had stated she wanted the police to kill her,” Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesperson Heather Cognac said.
Police arrived and learned Love had exited the house and was sitting on the back patio.
As officers were inside the home attempting to gather more information from the caller, Love “suddenly” stood up and approached the rear sliding door while armed with two large knives, Cognac said.
“The female started yelling and aggressively opened the sliding door and began to enter the residence,” Cognac said.
Cognac said an officer inside the home discharged their weapon and struck Love.
Officers immediately summoned firefighter/paramedics at 6:11 p.m., who were already staging nearby until the scene was deemed safe, according to fire department radio traffic.
Paramedics transported Love to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where she was pronounced dead.
Paramedics also transported the officer who discharged their firearm for evaluation.
A third ambulance was also requested to the scene, according to radio traffic, but it is unclear who that ambulance took to the hospital.
An autopsy performed Tuesday showed that Love died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
Banek said further details on the extent of Love’s injuries were not going to be released due to the ongoing investigation.
The Lake County Major Crime Task Force responded to the scene and began conducting an independent investigation into the incident in accordance with protocol and Illinois law.
Mundelein Police Chief Jason Seeley issued a statement Tuesday afternoon.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of the deceased, the involved officer, and everyone affected by this incident,” Seeley said.
“We recognize the significant impact this event has had on all those involved and on the broader community.”
Seeley said the Lake County Major Crime Task Force is continuing to actively gather evidence, conduct interviews and review all available information leading up to, during and after the encounter.
“The Mundelein Police Department is fully cooperating with the investigation alongside the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office,” Seeley said.
“As the investigation progresses, the department is committed to providing accurate and timely information when appropriate, and in coordination with investigators and the family,” Seeley added.
Video and audio evidence of the encounter is expected to be released when key investigative steps are completed.
The Mundelein police officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Seeley said.
Crime scene tape surrounded both sides of Ashbrook Drive, with a slew of police officers and investigators at the scene into the evening.
Karen Minorini, who lives approximately one block away, told a Lake & McHenry County Scanner reporter at the scene that she heard four gunshots while in her backyard.
“I can tell they were coming from north of me, so I believed they were probably on Ashbrook [Drive], I wasn’t sure,” Minorini said.
“I called 911 and told them I heard gunshots, and then I saw all the police activity after that.”
Minorini saw more emergency crews descending onto Ashbrook Drive immediately upon finishing the 911 call.
“It was a very active scene,” Minorini said.
Minorini said she did not hear or see anything notable before the four gunshots.
“I heard no other gunshots. I heard nobody saying any kind of commands like ‘stop,’ ‘put it down,’ anything like that,” she said.
Minorini added that her small and quiet neighborhood has not seen any activity like this before. She said a lot of the homes in the neighborhood are rented out.
Many residents were also surprised to see the slew of emergency crews in their neighborhood.
The officer-involved shooting remains under investigation by the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.