Millizza "Liza" Steen, a 37-year-old woman from Bolingbrook, IL, tragically lost her life on November 8, 2018, in a murder-suicide incident. On that fateful morning, her ex-boyfriend, Aswad Ahmeer "Shorty" Bryant, 44, drove to her residence in the 200 block of Douglass Way. Despite multiple orders of protection filed by Steen against Bryant, he managed to confront her.
The situation escalated quickly, leading Bryant to fatally shoot Steen before turning the gun on himself.
Steen had a history of seeking legal protection from Bryant due to his abusive behavior. She had filed for several orders of protection, citing a long history of domestic violence and stalking. In July 2018, Steen detailed in court documents that Bryant had a violent temper and a history of domestic battery. She expressed fear for her safety and that of her family, noting that Bryant had previously stalked and threatened her.
On the morning of November 8, a 911 call reported a domestic violence incident in progress. The caller described a man pushing a woman to the ground and possibly having a gun. Moments later, a loud bang was heard, and the caller reported that the man had shot himself. When police arrived, they found both Steen and Bryant on the ground. Steen was transported to Amita Bolingbrook Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Bryant was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and died at the scene.
The aftermath of the incident saw legal actions concerning Bryant's assets. The Will County State's Attorney's Office sought to have Bryant's Mercedes GL450 forfeited, as it was used in the commission of the murder. This legal move aimed to either auction the vehicle, destroy it, or allocate it to a police department in Illinois.
Steen's tragic death highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence and the limitations of protective orders in preventing such outcomes. Her case underscores the importance of addressing domestic abuse more effectively to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
