A grieving family in Illinois is seeking answers after a tragic incident involving police. Timothy Glaze, 58, was shot 28 times by Chicago Police officers during a “mental health crisis” at Albany Terrace Seniors Apartments in Little Village on Friday, according to ABC affiliate WLS. The shooting happened around 2:10 a.m.
Charlotta Pritchett, who identified herself as Glaze’s girlfriend, said he had been staying in her sixth-floor apartment while battling cancer. She called 911 after noticing a change in his behavior, describing his eyes as “glazing over.”
When officers arrived, they found Glaze holding a knife. Police reported that he advanced toward them, leading to the shooting. Glaze was rushed to the hospital but tragically died from his injuries.
The community, including Pritchett, is questioning why such extreme force was used. Baltazar Enriquez of the Little Village Community Council commented, “This is what happens in our community when we’re having a bad day—we can’t even have a bad day without risking our lives.”
Pritchett revealed that despite having a protection order against Glaze in the past, she took him in as he was homeless and in the final stages of life, battling three types of cancer. She said she called 911 hoping to get him help, not expecting such a violent outcome. “I never want to call 911 again because it cost him his life,” she said tearfully.
Photos shared by a resident’s relative reportedly show bullet holes in the apartment floor and walls, raising further questions about the officers’ actions. Charles Odum from The Union to End Slums added, “From the apartment to the elevator is only 15-20 feet. I can’t see how he could have lunged at them.”
Glaze’s family released a statement expressing their devastation and demanding accountability. “Timothy deserved compassion and care, not bullets. Mental health crises should never end in violence. Every person in distress deserves dignity and respect,” they said.
The family has called for a transparent investigation and meaningful changes in how police handle mental health emergencies. They emphasized the need for better training and non-lethal options, hoping their tragedy will inspire change.
“Our hearts are broken, but we will not remain silent. We demand justice and stand for a future where no one else endures what Timothy did,” the statement concluded.
