Lake County prosecutors announced Thursday that no criminal charges will be filed against police officers involved in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Mary Alice Love during a mental health crisis in Mundelein, Illinois. Love was shot on May 11 by Sgt. Christopher Brigano, a veteran of the Mundelein Police Department with 18 years of service.
The decision was communicated in person to Love’s family by State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and senior prosecutors prior to a public announcement. The Mundelein Police Department was also informed. While the criminal investigation has concluded, the department emphasized that an internal review remains underway to assess whether the officers’ conduct complied with departmental policies, procedures, and training.
“We intend to complete the review thoroughly and without unnecessary delay,” the police department stated Thursday. The department pledged transparency in sharing the findings and any administrative action taken regarding Brigano, while recognizing the importance of a fair, comprehensive resolution for the Love family, the community, and its personnel.
According to authorities, Love’s mother, Jeffry, had called 911 shortly before the shooting, informing dispatchers that her daughter, who had bipolar disorder, was suicidal and had asked for police intervention to end her life. Body-worn camera footage released by police shows Love armed with two knives on the rear patio of the family home on Ashbrook Drive. She was shot after opening a sliding glass door near where officers and her mother were positioned.
The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force led the investigation, and the county coroner ruled the death a homicide, indicating it resulted from another person’s actions. Despite this, prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof necessary for criminal charges against the officers.
“This decision answers one narrow question: can the state prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt?” Rinehart said. “It does not mean that things could not have been done differently, or that Mary Alice Love’s death was not preventable.” He extended condolences to the family and acknowledged the wider challenges posed by policing individuals experiencing mental health crises.
In a separate development, Love’s father, Johnny, filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the village of Mundelein and Sgt. Brigano. The complaint alleges excessive use of force by Brigano and accuses the village of inadequate training regarding reasonable force, de-escalation tactics for dealing with mentally ill individuals, and protocols governing deadly force.
Rev. Tavis Grant, representing the family, emphasized the need for accountability and thorough examination of the use of deadly force. “No badge places anyone above accountability, and the use of deadly force must always be subject to rigorous scrutiny,” Grant said in a statement.
Mundelein Village Administrator Eric Guenther acknowledged the lawsuit was anticipated but noted officials had not yet been formally served as of Thursday afternoon. Brigano has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting, a status that has drawn criticism from the Love family and supporters calling for his termination and criminal accountability.