Charlotta Pritchett called 911 early Friday, hoping to get help for her boyfriend, Timothy Glaze, who she believed was having a mental health crisis. Instead of receiving the support she expected, she ended the night grieving his death. Police officers shot Glaze, 57, multiple times at the Albany Terrace Apartments in Little Village, Chicago. He was pronounced dead shortly after.
Pritchett reported to the dispatcher that Glaze had a knife and a screwdriver and claimed she was being attacked. She also had an active protection order against him. Despite their rocky relationship since 2018, marked by ups and downs, Pritchett explained that Glaze’s behavior that night was unusual. She thought his actions might have been linked to his health. Glaze, who suffered from liver, prostate, and colon cancer, appeared confused and was acting strangely.
When officers arrived, Glaze allegedly charged at them with a knife, prompting them to shoot him multiple times, according to police reports. Pritchett, however, insisted that Glaze wasn’t threatening her or trying to harm her. She said she had asked him to put the knife down while on the phone with the dispatcher, which might have escalated concerns.
As officers reached her apartment, Pritchett tried to meet them to explain that Glaze hadn’t hurt her, but before she could, she heard commands followed by 30 to 40 gunshots. Hearing this, she froze in shock. Later, an autopsy confirmed Glaze died from multiple gunshot wounds. Pritchett believes he was shot 28 times.
Glaze had faced challenges throughout his life, including health problems, homelessness, and mental health struggles. He also had a history of arrests, mostly related to domestic battery, though many charges were dropped. Despite this, Pritchett described him as a kind and caring person who often put others before himself.
The shooting has left the Albany Terrace community shaken, with residents and activists demanding transparency and accountability. Many are calling for an early release of body-camera footage and a thorough investigation into the incident. Glaze’s family emphasized the need for systemic change, stating he deserved compassion and help during his mental health crisis—not gunfire.
Pritchett, who had previously trusted police responses, now feels betrayed. She said she will never call 911 again, as her trust in the system has been shattered by this experience.
